THE NGUNI PRINT®

The Nguni Print draws inspiration from the traditional art references of the Nguni Tribe. It was important for House of FabroSanz to translate Zulu culture into wearables. The print is enveloped by different shapes in bright colors which all have cultural meaning. It is important to note that the print is ultimately inspired by all of Nguni cultures which have a thread of common colors and shapes interpreted in different manners. The circles in the print draw inspiration from the zulu tribe who are popular for their colorful beadwork. The art is practised by women where the older sisters pass down the tradition and meanings of different kinds of beadwork to their younger sisters. The circle is not only seen on the beadwork in the Zulu tribe but also in the hat called Isicholo, adorned by married women to differentiate them from single women. The black stripes in the print are inspired by the Xhosa tribe. They are found in multiple variations on their traditional garments called Umbhaco. The geometric & diamond shapes are inspired by the Ndebele tribe who are popular for displaying their art on their houses as murals. Although the Zulu tribe has expressed their creative interpretation of these symbols through beadwork, the Ndebele tribe has used mural paintings on houses as their interpretation.