Unrecorded artist, Xhosa Peoples

Notes

Not merely an attractively adorned pouch for carrying smoking paraphernalia, the inxili holds deep social and symbolic meaning within southern African communities. Reserved for adults, it serves as a visible emblem of maturity, dignity, and social standing. A young person would never carry such a bag, as it is intrinsically linked to the rites of passage that mark the transition into adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. For a young man, the right to own a tobacco bag — and to smoke — traditionally followed his initiation ceremony, signifying his passage from boyhood to manhood and his acceptance into adult society. The inxili thus became a marker of status and personal identity, worn proudly during gatherings and ceremonies.

Older and married men and women also carried and used tobacco bags, though the form, decoration, and materials might vary by region and status. Beyond their functional purpose, these beaded bags carried cultural and spiritual weight: even non-smokers may wear one as an identity marker.

Provenance

Colin Sayers Collection.