BEAD BY BEAD
BEAD BY BEAD
Hand-Crafted African Beadwork
PRICES ON REQUEST
Please e-mail info@dolfilms.org
DOWNLOAD the catalogue book “African Art: Power and Adornment” produced for the Bead by Bead Campaign
IN 2008 the DO Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign started a beading program in the Natal and Tran- skei regions of Southern Africa.
The beaded pieces provided by this program are taken from an out of print book (South East African Bead- work) depicting North Nguni beadwork made by Zulu-speaking women. Ranging from simple “wormy” cylindrical beaded necklaces, to intricate head-pieces and wall hangings, each piece displays passionate craftsmanship and attention to detail that translates from ancient to modern times.
In the book “Bead by Bead” produced to shed light on this important project, the historical blueprints for our bead pieces are depicted. These pieces, found in the Zulu kingdom and the Colony of Natal, date back from 1850 to 1910. Little is known about beadwork from this region. However efforts are being made towards sensitizing art histori- ans, collectors and curators to the extraordinary breadth of the field and the complexity and nuances in the designs of late 19th and early 20th century beadwork from south-east Africa.
Our beadworkers are drawing inspiration from these historical pieces and this is reflected in their bead- work. The beaded art offered by DO Ubuntu are adornments made by women who learned the fine art of beading from their mothers and grandmothers.
If you are interested in a particular design/product please email your request. In addition we can provide a photo and information about the individual beadworker who created it upon request.
The campaign provides employment to woman living with HIV/AIDS and 100% of the profit support food programs, sustainable gardens and school uniforms in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.