Ndebele people

Some of you may know Emm of Emm in London, and if you do you'll know that she went back to visit the land of her birth, South Africa, for Christmas.  I am a direct beneficiary of that visit because I have some postcards!!  I will tell you what Emm had to say about this one:

There are eleven official languages in South Africa and scores of different cultures, religions, ethnic groups, colours and communities.  The Ndebele are my favourite because of their beautiful clothing and houses.

I've discovered that the Ndebele people of South Africa used to live in grass huts but in the mid-18th century they started to use mud walls so it became possible to paint them.  The symbols and patterns were applied by the women using their fingers so that they could express values and emotions.  The style has developed over time and now the colours are more vivid than the earlier ones.  Each generation makes changes but essentially it is still a way of communication and expression.

Thank you so much for these cards, Emm!