Title: Man's Back Tie (ulimi, uthayi)
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00083119/00001
 Material Information
Title: Man's Back Tie (ulimi, uthayi)
Physical Description: Glass beads
Creator: Zulu People
Publication Date: c. 1950
 Subjects
Subject: Exhibition -- Between the Beads: Reading African Beadwork
Spatial Coverage: Africa -- South Africa
 Notes
Abstract: Young Zulu men and women wear long beaded panels, ulimi, meaning tongue, or uthayi (derived from tie) on the chest or back. The color sequence, called isishunka, which includes dark green, black, pink, light blue, red, white and pale yellow, is the oldest and most complex of the color sequences of the Msinga style. The two main colors, black and green are the most essential. Black is symbolic of soot used to blacken oxhide skirts (isidwaba) worn by married women, and thus conveys readiness to marry, whereas green denotes sickness and pining. Other colors are said to be enhancements only, although they too have associated meanings. This ulimi was worn by a man on the back, probably for a ceremony such as a wedding or a coming of age ceremony, but ulimi may also be worn in rituals honoring ancestors.
 Record Information
Bibliographic ID: UF00083119
Volume ID: VID00001
Source Institution: Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Holding Location: Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier: 2007.27.19

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