The DO Ubuntu Beading Program

South East African Beadwork

Bringing back an almost forgotten tradition. The DO Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign started a beading program in the Natal and Transkei regions.

The program provides employment and 100% of the profits of the beaded art pieces go back to orphanages, villages, mothers etc.

The beaded pieces provided by this program are taken from 19th centtury North Nguni beadwork made by Zulu-speaking women in the Zulu kingdom and the Colony of Natal, dating back from 1850 to 1910. Little is known about beadwork from this region. "Traditionally" pieces such as beadwork tend to be neglected, however efforts are being made to bring back the complexity and nuances of the designs from late 19th- and early 20th century beadwork from south-east Africa.

The traditional beaded pieces offered by DO Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaing are adornments made by women who learned the art of beading from their mothers and grandmothers. All pieces offered are carefully checked for accuracy and quality by local experts before export.

Click on the slideshow below, it includes pieces OBC is replicating and will soon be offering for sale. (Pictures show the original pieces from the 19th century).