The Eloquent Bead

The Eloquent Bead presents a unique perspective on the traditional beadwork  crafted by women in Zululand, South Africa. This craft was used as a medium for the communication of social standing, values and relationships.

A series of beautiful photographs and accompanying notes present a selection of artefacts from a private collection, gathered in the 1960s. The Introduction is based upon research conducted in Zululand between 1964 and 1968. A concluding section investigates the role of beadwork in contemporary South Africa, and aims to show how craftswomen in KwaZulu Natal have adapted traditional designs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan Schoeman, author of numerous books and articles, was born in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. He completed  a D.Litt et Phil at the University of South Africa. In the 1960s, he taught at the then University College of Zululand, where he became interested in traditional Zulu beadwork and its role in society. He served on the teaching staff of various universities before he joined the Africa Institute of South Africa as a full-time researcher on African affairs. Stan retired in 1993, and recently published a memoir of semi-autobiographical short stories, Soetwater: Life in the Klein Karoo