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Monday, February 25, 2008

Zulu Lady

This water colour painting "Zulu Lady" has already been sold. Older Zulu woman normally dress in traditional clothing which includes a wide straw hat or Isicholo decorated with beads called ubuhlalu.


Beads in the Zulu culture can have different meanings, like love, encouragement, a warning or even a reprimand. The symbolic language of the beadwork plays an important role during courtship.

When a young man declares his love for a Zulu maiden she reciprocates by giving him a gift of betrothal beads as a declaration of her acceptance of him as a future husband. The man in turn pays the bridal price called Lobolo to the maidens family, which normally consists of eleven cows.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

my my! love the way the colors speak so much in your work =)

SueEllen Cowan said...

Caroline, this is just beautiful, such intense color. I love your style.

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful!
Awesome portrait!

Artbeat said...

Thanks for all the comments. I have always loved working with bright colours and feel most confident when painting something that reflects my persona