The Ndebele [antikvár]

The South Ndebele, together with the Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi, belong to the South Nguni ethnic group. It is not known where this group had Its origins, or when the individual tribes that comprise it moved info the areas they occupy today In the case of the South Ndebele group, the area is, broadly speaking, the Eastern Transvaal HIghveld to the north-east of Pretoria. Here, they have lived and worked on farms for generations and, since the mid-1980s, also in their homeland of KwaNdebeie (the 'Place of the Ndebele'). The tribe consists of two major clans, the Ndzundza and the Manala, together comprising probably less than 400 000 people. Of these, something like 90 per cent are Ndzundza.The most popular theory on the origins of the South Ndebele suggests that they hived off from the Zulu, but one cannot rule out the possibility that they have Xhosa origins. Firstly as a Xhosa linguist I can communicate more easily with the Ndebele than with the Zulu. Also, the physique of the Ndebele men resembles more closely those of the Xhosa than the Zulu. My superficial impression, without the benefit of an in-depth study is that Ndebele men are, in general, less sturdy than their Zulu counterparts. Conclusive evidence in supportof either theory has, however, remained elusive.At this point, it is important that a distinction be drawn between the South Ndebele and the North Ndebele. These are two completely separate tribes, although they do seem to have the same origins. The North Ndebele are found mostly in the north-eastern Transvaal, and have a close association with - and have become largely integrated Into - the North Sotho. Consequently the South Ndebele are often referred to simply as the Ndebele. It is these people that are the subject of this book.The characteristic of their lives which most obviously distinguishes the South Ndebele from the other indigenous South African peoples is, of course, their art, be this house-painting, beadwork or any of the other visual arts from which they derive so much joy The brightly painted houses that decorate the Transvaal Highveld with their distinctive designs proclaim clearly 'This is an Ndebele home', and the striking style of dress of the women could not be mistaken for that of any other tribe.Sadly though, their unique lifestyle and art is gradually starting to disappear Although western civilization, with its greater technology and exciting new concepts, provided the means for some of the brightest moments in Ndebele culture, the attractions of the modern world are now beginning to take over the Ndebele way of life. The art of a nation is dying, as rising costs make the necessary materials prohibitive, and the ever-increasing tempo of life precludes the time to pursue itAubrey Elliott Pretoria