Notes

Tsonga–Shangaan.

"Siyandhana is the Tsonga word for a plain cloth that has no beads. When beads are added as decoration it is called siyandhana na lopo. The cloth can be red, black, blue or green. The decorated cloth is only worn by someone who has been passed by the spirits or ancestors and is a qualified sangoma."

Enos Sikhauli, Isak Niehaus and Billy Makhubele (2007) 'Divination Objects from the South African Lowveld', in Nessa Leibhammer, Dungamanzi: Stirring Waters, Johannesburg: Wits University Press and Johannesburg Art Gallery, page 187.

A copy of the book Nessa Leibhammer (ed) (2007) Dungamanzi: Stirring Waters, Johannesburg: Wits University Press and Johannesburg Art Gallery, accompanies the lot.

Provenance

The Natalie Knight Collection, collected by Natalie Knight and Billy Makhubele in the field.