Africa>South Africa>20. Zulu Beaded Doll Nativity

This set contains Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger, made by Zulu women in a co-op in Kwa Zulu, Zululand in eastern South Africa. The Mary figure is beaded in red, white, blue, green, yellow, and black. The Joseph figure with long hair has green strands of beadwork around his neck. The baby Jesus figure is 4 inches long, while the manger (highlighted with wood-burning) stands 4 inches high. Mary and Joseph stand 6 inches tall.

This set also features two giraffes (12 inches tall), an elephant, a zebra, and three small angels. The animals are carved from wood and then carefully covered with beads. The geometric patterns on the animals are traditional Ndebele designs.

The insert reads, “Missionaries of various denominations arrived in Zululand during the early days of white settlement, introducing Christianity to the Zulu people. Today, amongst other popular religious denominations in Zululand, is the Zionist Church, which is a separatist church that blends traditional African and Christian beliefs and rituals, producing a new religious form adapted to African needs.

“Many small self-help projects have developed in recent years in order to uplift the Zulu women and help to supplement their incomes, whilst they are able to remain at home, continuing to tend their children as well as household and traditional chores.

“One such self-help group is Kwa Zigi Gimi, situated in Northern KwaZulu. This area borders on Swaziland and Mozambique to the North, and the Indian Ocean to the East. The Zulu ladies of Kwa Zigi Gimi specialize in handmaking beaded dolls, and from the traditional fertility dolls to Sangoma dolls, they have expanded their art-form to include these Nativity dolls, representing Mary (Maria), Joseph (Josefa), and baby Jesus (Jesu).

“A Zulu family thanks you for purchasing this Nativity set, which will help them enjoy a better Christmas this year, and hope that you will enjoy their handwork for many years to come.”