Ndebele is perfect for those big on color who want to create an African atmosphere, but aren't artistically gifted! This African art has an interesting history and is more than just pretty patterns!

Discover Ndebele wall paintings in South Africa and their colorful geometric patterns. The bright colors and regularity of their patterns will amaze you! 

Want to make your own version of these patterns? All you need is acrylic paint and a paintbrush! For beginners, try testing out patterns in pencil before you start to paint!

History of Ndebele

Ndebele refers to an African tribe who have lived in the Transvall region of South Africa since the 17th century. Today,the Ndebeles are made up of 2 groups : one in Zimbabwe and one in South Africa.

The goal of the South African Ndebeles is to maintain their culture, despite the hardship caused by Appartheid. The Ndebele women know how to create bead jewels and wall paintings, as well as ritual objects, all characterized by specific patterns. Ndebele wall painting, created during the 18th century, is a way to protest African wars and colonization, and to display their identity. 

Ndebele patterns are handed down from mother to daughter. First, a woman would do a freehand drawing and then fill it with color. Originally, the patterns were not geometrical or figurative, which allowed women to be original. This gave them the idea to start an aesthetics competition : the woman with the most beautiful house would be named the winner. At the beginning, only natural pigments were used to paint the walls, so brown, green, ochre, and yellow hues were mainly used. However, after discovering industrial paintings, the colors became much brighter. Each painter modernizes their patterns and their materials, which led to the evolution of acrylic painting.

If the women are the only ones to know how to paint, it's because the wall paintings are linked with initiation rituals of teenage boys. After the ceremony of the circumcision, the young men would leave for 3 months in the hills. Meanwhile, their mothers would paint their houses and young girls would be taught painting and beading techniques. Interestingly, the "shaving blade" pattern is a common element of Ndebele painting and refers to circumcision ceremonies.

The spread of Ndebele painting

Starting in the early 1950s, Ndebele art began to interest a lot of people and became a source of income for its artists. Esther Mahlangu is a representative of this group. She was the first to export Ndebele art in Paris, during the Lands' magicians exhibition in 1989. Then, she changed from wall painting on a canvas to spread it over the whole world. 

Videos of Ndebele painting

Spotlight on a Ndebele village. In the foreground, notice women dancing with colored rings on their ankles; in the background admire the wall paintings and architecture of the homes. 

This photo-report about the Ndebeles allows you to discover this group of people, the way they live, and the objects they create : beautiful works of art.

Learn the Ndebele beading technique with this video. Make your own African jewels in various colors! 

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Source : Pauline Lalangue