Itjogolo apron,

mid-20th century

Different types of Ndebele aprons are made and worn by women to denote their stage of life. Upon marriage and on special occasions, the woman wears the itjogolo, an apron with five fingerlike panels that represent the children she would be expected to bear. Beaded by the newly married woman or by female relatives, the apron was traditionally made of animal skin prepared by the men of the family and decorated with beads provided by her husband as a display of his wealth. The background of this apron consists of small white beads with a colorful central design. By the mid- twentieth century, Ndebele homes became known for geometric wall paintings that resemble the abstract motifs on this apron. Most aprons were decorated with brass beads at the waist, which were often removed before the itjogolo was sold due to their value, but the brass beads were retained on this example.