ca1920s NATIVE SOUTH AFRICAN NDEBELE BEAD DECORATED BUFFALO HIDE APRON - JOCOLO

Description

Very rare and stunningly beautiful, ca1920’s South African Native Ndebele Woman’s Bead Decorated Ceremonial “Jocolo” (also known as a "ijogolo") - a five lobed, heavy hide apron worn only by married female members of the Tribe.
This beautiful, Ndebele Ceremonial Apron measures approx. 21” long and 16 1/2” wide at the top edge. It is made of thick, water buffalo hide and decorated in traditional geometric designs using multi colored glass beads.
Throughout their lives, Southern African Ndebele women wear various aprons that mark stages of social advancement. Pre-adolescent girls wear an apron of one solid piece, called a "ghabi"; when they reach adolescence, they start wearing a "pepitu", recognizable by its simple embellishment and lack of flaps. After marriage, a woman wears more elaborately adorned aprons: the "mapoto", for everyday use, has two square flaps; the "jocolo", with five rounded flaps, is typically reserved for special occasions.
This five-paneled garment is known as a jocolo (or ijogolo), a bridal apron worn by Ndebele women. Upon marriage, the groom’s family traditionally gave the bride a plain leather or canvas apron with five flaps. The newly married Ndebele woman embroidered that apron, creating bold geometric designs with imported glass beads. She would wear this apron on important ceremonial occasions to signify her married status. The multiple panels, referred to as “calves,” symbolize the future children the woman will bear.
The images below do not do justice to the beauty of this outstanding piece of African Tribal Art – it is finely crafted and beautifully decorated – made entirely by hand, it is a stunningly beautiful display piece.
The ca1920’s Ndebele Woman’s Bead Decorated Ceremonial “Jocolo” / Apron offered here is unconditionally guaranteed original and of the period. It is NOT a reproduction or modern recreation but an original Native African Tribal Beaded Apron crafted in the first half of the 20th century. The Apron comes with our “no questions asked” return privilege and our lifetime guarantee of authenticity. It is guaranteed to be deemed authentic, original and as described by any qualified third party authentication service.
This rare and wonderful, Ndebele Woman’s Bead Decorated Ceremonial “Jocolo” / Apron is in very good, original condition. The structure is sound and strong with an area of repair to the hide on the reverse but otherwise intact and sound. The hide is supple and the beadwork is exceptionally well preserved with no loss or damage. Please see the scans below for a good representation of the form and beauty of this outstanding Native African Tribal Artifact.
A very rare and beautiful, ca1920’s South African Native Ndebele Woman’s Bead Decorated Ceremonial “Jocolo” / Apron and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!
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