The Inside Story - Edition 1

Welcome to the Inside Story, the Otterley Press Newsletter providing behind-the-scenes information and insights into books, libraries,museums and other topics.

Today we want to tell you about one of the first books published by Otterley Press (in 2015) : The Eloquent Bead: Zulu Women Communicate written by Stan Schoeman. He and his wife, Elna spent several formative years in Zululand during the 1960s, while Stan was teaching at the then University College of Zululand. He became interested in traditional Zulu beadwork crafted by women, and its role in society so he began a small museum that would also serve as a teaching aid to senior students. However, Stan found it difficult to conduct field work in an area mainly populated by women as he did not wish to be intrusive, but a meeting with his old friend, Simongo Mkhwanazi, changed the dynamics. Simongo called the women to show Stan some of these artifacts. He offered to buy them, but they were destined for a wedding, so he commissioned a selection and his interest in the significance of the beadwork intensified.

This book is the result of his findings, summarised mainly in the Introductory essay to the book. He offers a unique perspective on the beadwork, focussing on its role as a medium for communication and social standing, values and relationships. He had the foresight to recognises that beadwork and the artist were inseparably entwined. His work focusses mainly on the Zulu people north of the Tugela River, specifically in the Mtunzini district.

 A concluding section investigates the role of the beadwork in contemporary South Africa and aims to show how craftswomen in KwaZulu-Natal have adapted traditional designs. Beadwork has become an economic tool and a new art form has emerged from the sufferings of the past, giving some women a joyous individuality and a means of giving expression to their own voices – tales are told in a new way. No longer do collectors’ search for the merely decorative, mainly based on rigid patterning , but instead for that which comes from their deepest sensitivities and  emotions of the bead artist. The work of several prominent artists is described, as well as the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, the Siyazama Project , the Umpumeleto Co-operative, and Ubuhle Beautiful Beads.

Built on the legacy of the old, from the hills and valleys of Zululand to the world’s greatest museums, beadworkers in KwaZulu-Natal have made the long journey to another time and another place, but one which their personalities shine through.

A series of beautiful photographs of these artifacts are accompanied by informative notes.