The painted homes of the Ndebele People

To conclude our series on #Heritage Matters, we look at another example of the Traditional Cultural Expressions found in South Africa.

The Ndebele people are primarily found in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, and are known for their colourful and geometric art. The Ndebele house paintings are a form of exterior wall art that serves both decorative and symbolic purposes. The paintings are a mixture of natural pigments and modern paints which adorn the walls of Ndebele homes with intricate and symmetrical designs.

The geometrical designs often hold symbolic meaning which represent concepts such as marriage, coming of age, and status. The Ndebele house paintings are not only a reflection of cultural tradition but also a way for Ndebele people to maintain a connection to their heritage in a rapidly changing the world.

Although legislation to protect traditional cultural expressions such as the Ndebele house paintings are not yet in force, there is growing anticipation and hope for its implementation as it promises to provide a platform to assist traditional communities with commercialising their traditional knowledge.

We hope our #HeritageMatters series has been insightful.