Tubular yellow beaded arm band with black, blue and red design with Ligebesha and a larger red bead fastening. Zulu ethnic group.
Glass beads imported from Europe, especially from Venice and Amsterdam, were used throughout Africa and particualry in Southern Africa as currency and adornment for many centuries. Colours of beads have different meanings and the beadwork froms part of the courtship system among the Zulu conveying messages f sorrow, love, anxiety, longing for home etc.