Bushman Beading

Hi all

I had a wonderful experience on Monday that I wanted to share with you. One of the researchers in our department, who I have mentioned in a previous post has been working with groups of San Bushmen for many years. Every year she travels to their rural villages in the northern-most part of Botswana and Namibia to undertake experiments. Many of these experiments entail testing hominid butchery patterns produced by stone tools on animal remains. The Bushmen butcher the carcasses and take the meat and Lucinda then studies the cut mark patterns on the bones. During these periods Lucinda stays in the village with them and experiences their very traditional way of life.

 Recently as part of a new and very exciting project Lucinda brought some of the village elders on their first ever trip to Johannesburg where they have been investigating some of the many cultural artifacts housed in the Museum Africa in Newtown. They had brought some of their own bead work with them to sell. As they live in such rural environments selling their handmade crafts is a major source of income for them.

Twisted necklace of Ostrich egg-shell beads, choker length.  The number of beads that appears to have gone into this surprisingly solid necklace is amazing!

Closeup of necklace showing the detail of all those beautiful beads

Their stuff was amazing! Intricately beaded headbands and handbags made out of both glass beads in bright colours and ostrich egg-shell beads. Although none of us could fit the headbands on, they were so tiny! And the things made out of Ostrich egg-shell beads were spectacular! I bought 2 necklaces. I just wanted to show you the intricacy of the work and the wonderful patterns you can get from Ostrich egg-shell beads. It was particularly exciting as I started a new project using these beads myself last week. And which is almost finished!

The other necklace showing white and brown (dyed) egg-shell beads with glass beads

Details of the back of the necklace and the clasp

Closeup of the strands with their mixed beads

It was a wonderful experience to meet them and seeing their beads has given me some excellent inspiration! Seriously I havnt been able to concentrate on work all week! I especially want to play around and try to work out how they make the necklaces.
If you would like to know more about how these beads are made or where one can buy jewellery like this follow this Link

PS I had a picture of the Bushmen themselves to show you but no matter what I do it keeps uploading upside down! Sigh.