Ndebele house painting
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[edit] History
In the 18th Century the Ndzundza Ndebele people of Southern Africa created their own tradition and style of house painting. The Ndebele were originally an Ngundi people that came from lower Nubia, in the Nile valley. These people were very fierce warriors and large land owners. In the autumn of 1883, the Ndebele people went to war with the neighboring Boer farmers. The loss of the war brought on a harsh life and horrible punishments for the Ndebele. Through those hard times expressive symbols were generated by the suffering people expressing their grief. These symbols were the beginning of the African art known as Ndebele house paintings.
The Ndebele tribe originally in the early 18th Century lived in grass huts, and it wasn't until they began using mud-walled houses in the mid-18th Century did these symbols begin to be created on their houses and walls. These expressive symbols were used as a type of communication between sub groups of the Ndebele people. They stood for their continuity and cultural resistance to their current circumstances. The Boer farmers did not understand the meaning and only viewed it as cultural art that was not harmful, so it was allowed to continue. These wall paintings done by the women of the Ndebele was their secret code to their people, disguised to anyone but the Ndbele.
[edit] The Symbols
The symbols and expressions portray communications of personal prayers, self-identification, values, emotions, and marriage. Sometimes the male initiation, known as the wela, was a reason for repainting, but the ritual was not expressed. One quality of life that has never been expressed or directed through their walls is sacred expression. The rituals and religions have never been a part of the Ndebele's house paintings. The women of the Ndebele are often the tradition carriers and the main developer of the wall art of their home. The tradition and style of house painting is passed down in the families from generation to generation by the mothers. A well painted home shows the female of the household is a good wife and mother. She is responsible for the painting of the outside gates, front walls, side walls, and usually the interior of her home. One thing that has changed since the beginning of the house painting wall art and the present day wall art is their styles.
In the beginning of house painting their symbols and patterns were often based from Ndebele's beadwork. The patterns were tonal and painted with the women's fingers. The original paint laid down on the house was a limestone whitewash. The colors added to make the paintings were mostly natural pigments consisting of browns, blacks, and different ochers. Most of the patterns were of a V shape and a very simple triangle on a large shape of color. The patterns, earth tones, directions, and sizes were more important then the present day vivid and bright colors.
[edit] The Colors
Over time the colors represented in the symbols and shape became a key aspect in the overall design. In the late 1960's, the new style was evident. What was once a finger painted creation was now created using bundled twigs with feathers as brushes. The walls are still originally whitewashed but the outlines and colors have significantly changed. The patterns and symbols can be seen today with a rich black outline and a vivid color inside. There are five main colors represented in these wall paintings which are: red and dark red, yellow to gold, a sky blue, green, and sometimes pink. The colors give an intensified symbolic meaning to the Ndebele. They can mean status or power of the home's owners, offer prayer, announce a marriage in the home, or can even represent a current protest. These wall painting express an abstract meaning with no real reference to any specific characteristic of their homes. This is the most direct way to show their individual expression to the people outside their distinct family, showing of the talent and the taste of the mother.
[edit] The Patterns
The patterns is one of the most important aspects in their communication through painting. The patterns are usually repeated throughout their design with only a very slight variation and different color choice. The geometric patterns and shape are first drawn with the black outline and later filled in with color. The patterns are grouped together throughout the walls in terms of their basic design structure. Creating the right tools to allow accuracy and freedom for the wife becomes a difficult task. The tools can't restrict the female painter from creating her art. They have to have tools for the large geometric shapes of flat color and smalls brushes for the very small areas, outlines, and cracks. The advancement of tools has allowed faster and more complex designs throughout the Ndebele's homes. These very simple looking painted houses are really a complex system of tradition and creation. This painted tradition is still alive and as every generation passes it down little changes begin to exist. This is their way of communication and expression through their home. The women work long and hard to finish these walls and are noticed by the outside community of her individual talent and expression.
[edit] Further reading
- Hansen, L. 1995/1996. Memory and Amnesia: Transformation of the Vernacular Architecture of the Southern Ndebele in South Africa. Unpublished thesis, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Post Graduate Centre for Human Settlements.
- James, D. and van Vuuren, C.J. 1998. "The Ndebele." In Magubane, P., Ed. Vanishing Cultures of South Africa, 64-81. Cape Town: Struik Publishers (Pty) Ltd.
- Levinsohn, R. 1985. "Beadwork as Cultural Icon." American Craft 45 4):24-31,August-September.
- Levy, D. 1989. ""The Possible Origins and Meaning of Ndebele Beadwork.." Lantern 38 (2):62-66. May.
- Loubser, A. 1994. Recent Changes in Wall Painting amongst the Ndzundza as an Indication Of Social Changes amongst AmaNdebele Women. Unpublished Honors Dissertation, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
- Ndebele: A People and Their Art. Ivor Powell. NY: Cross River Press, 1995.
- The Ndebele: Art and Culture. Aubrey Elliot. Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 1993.
- Powell, I. and Lewis, M. 1995. Ndebele ? A People and their Art. Cape Town: Struik Publishers (Pty) Ltd.
- Rich, P. 1995. "Pride of Ndebele." Architectural Review 197 (1177):73-77. March.
- Schneider, E.A. 1985. "Ndebele Mural Art." African Arts 18 (3):60-67,100-101. April.
- Van Vuuren, C.J. 1994. "Myths of Ndebele Identity: From Aesthetic Curiosity to Unwanted Homeland." Paper presented at the AASA Conference, Durban, SA. September.
