A fascinating and historically important exhibition depicting the versatile role of beads in southern Africa has opened in the foyer outside the TH Barry Lecture Theatre of the Iziko South African Museum, and will run until 31 July 2008.

“Beads: Ritual and Ornamentation” illustrates the use of beads as grave goods, ritual gifts and personal adornment as well as the role of beads in expressing social and cultural identity. Featuring prehistoric and ethnographic beads from southern Africa, the exhibition includes shell beads from Blombos Cave dating back 77 000 years, which are almost certainly the earliest beads ever discovered.

Also on display are implements and objects such as 20^th century tortoise-shell cosmetic containers, an isidlokolo or otter-skin cap, an iqhina or necklet, neck ornaments, an umtseke or arm ornament worn by Xhosa diviners, and bone tools for piercing beads.

Giving context to the display are two pictorial backdrops: a poster by Elisabeth Mannsfeld depicting men adorned with beads in ritual dancing postures, and a photograph of diviners taken by the late anthropologist, Margaret Shaw.

Enquiries: Sarah Wurz 021 481 3888.

Captions:

Beads from Blombos Cave at Still Bay – Nassarius kraussianus shell beads

Diviners at a ceremony in East London, taken in 1968 by Margaret Shaw

Drawing by Elisabeth Mannsfeld of a rock painting in Ngolosa, E/Cape from Frobenius Collection

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