Ndebele Artwork By Polly Tyson

The wall paintings as we know them originated around the time of the Boer wars of South Africa, in the 1880’s. The Boers did not object to the paintings because they did not understand the significance of them. In reality they were commentaries of the Ndebele’s oppression by white farmers, and symbols of their defiance in the face of adversity.

Ndebele houses are painted both on the inside and the outside. They are a means of communication, and a well painted house is an indication that a good mother and wife lives in there, since the wall paintings are all rendered by the women.

Originally they were in dull, earthen tones, but later on they turned to brighter colors. The bright colors have significance as well, they may indicate the wealth or stature of the occupants of the house.

The wall paintings are a reflection of the family’s status in society, and are messages to the community as to the accomplishments of the household members.

Ndebele art is very vividly colorful, and is very expressive. Every design has a specific meaning, such as these dolls, wearing stylized women’s clothing, and given to women by men to indicate intentions of courtship.

The paintings are either done by the woman of the house, or by her teenage daughters under her direct supervision. This is part of their training in decorative art, because soon they would have to complete their marriage garments.

“Although in theory the young bride may choose to decorate her walls in whatever pattern she wishes, in reality, her first design seldom strays far from that which she learnt at home as a child and which she carried away with her in a shorthand form as part of her wedding dowry.”

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