The Ndebele Culture

The Ndebele culture started primarily in Rhodesia (formerly known as Zimbabwe) and
are famous for the beautiful and intricate designs that they create and portray in their art.
History
The Ndebele started as the early humalos. The humalos knew that they could not
remain neutral for long! but they postponed it for as long as they could. There was a lot of
treachery going on for who would be chief. "t soon lead to an assassination and the start
of a war. "n the end! the humalos were scattered across #frica. $ome chose to side with
the Zulus! while others created the Ndebele (or as they call %thwaka&i).
#rt
Ndebele art is uni'ue and the main characteristic of the culture. The art is not drawn with
rulers or set s'uares but in(ol(es a lot of mathematical shapes. )omen usually draw the
art as a chance to e*press their indi(iduality. They mainly use an earthy type of colour but
also use a (ariety of different colours.
%usic
%usic is characteri&ed by widespread use of choral song! leg rattles! clappers and hand
clapping.
%iriam %akeba
%iriam %akeba was born in +oburg in ,-./. Her mother was a sangoma and her father
died when she was 0. $he married Hugh %asakela. $he recei(ed a 1rammy #ward for
the 2est 3olk Recording.
$he died on - No(ember /445 when she fell ill at one of her concerts. $he had a heart
attack right after she sang her hit song 67ata 7ata8 and doctors were unable to re(i(e her.
)hat was strange about her death was that she said that she wanted to die on stage! her
fa(ourite place in the world.