Travelling is not only about seeing new places, it's about taking in the whole experience - from learning about the different cultures, digging into the cuisine, exploring famous attractions and more.
We are exploring Mzansi’s traditional and cultural attires hailing all the way from Limpopo to the Cape. Boasting breathtaking and interesting patterns, shapes and colours, one can’t help but appreciate the striking beauty and the vibrancy of our many cultures and traditional haute couture.
You are sure to spot a few traditional outfits when you travel in and around Mzansi.
Made famous globally by Ndebele visual artist Dr Esther Mahlangu, the Ndebele attire is known for its colourful geometric patterns and gold/copper neck hoops that are worn by the women. The Ndebele tribe is also known for their colourful patterns on their homes and paintings. Ndebele people live primarily in the Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa so next time you’re in these provinces keep a lookout for their fine art.
The largest cultural group in South Africa, the Zulu tribe is known for their rich heritage and their attire can be found at almost every street corner or shop. The Zulu culture’s most popular item are circular-shaped hats called izicolo which are made from grass and are traditionally worn by married women, this hat definitely makes a fashion statement as we are starting to see more people rock them in these fashion streets. Zulu men are often seen wearing ibheshu which is animal skin used to cover the lower body. Zulu people are commonly found in the mild subtropical province of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
When you think of Swati people you think of beautiful red material with the eSwatini flag and feathers because that’s what this culture is known for. Young females wear a skirt made from grass as well as beaded accessories while married women wear a fabric and need to have their hair up. Males are required to wear loin
Known as the second largest cultural group in South Africa, the isiXhosa traditional attire is seen as one of the most attractive traditional attires, Xhosa people sure know how to look good. This culture’s most common material is known as Umbhaco which is usually used for dresses in both formal and informal Xhosa traditional ceremonies. This cotton fabric is now worn in a modern way by people that mostly attend weddings because it’s an instant showstopper. This tribe originates from the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape.
Batswana people are found in different parts of South Africa namely the North West, Northern Cape and parts of Gauteng and originate from neighbouring country Botswana. Their most common traditional attire is a fabric called as Lletoitsi which in the past symbolised the status of married Batswana women but is now worn modernly by all women.
The Bapedi tribe are known for their beautiful bright colours that set them apart from other traditional attires. This tribe is found in the Limpopo province. The attire is made up of different fabrics namely the inside fabric which is tied around the lower body as well as the Metsheka which is worn on top. The piece of head jewelry that completes the entire outfit is known as the Moruka as often in a bright colour. It is no wonder the Bapedi are known for being a “happy” tribe because of their bright unique attire.
This tribe must enjoy cold days because their most common attire is the Sesotho blanket which was introduced by the founder of Lesotho King Moshoeshoe years ago, who was gifted a blanket which he wore everyday as his royal attire, the Basotho then made this item an inherent part of their daily attire. The Basotho must be proud as their attire can now be seen as a fashion trend from global designer powerhouses. Another common item from this clan is the Sesotho hat called ‘Mokorotlo’ which is a woven hat made from local grass with the word “Lesotho” printed on and is also the national symbol of our neighbouring country Lesotho. Sesotho people are concentrated in the Free State, Lesotho and Gauteng.
The most conservative of Mzansi’s traditional attires. The Tshivenda’s striking multicoloured traditional fabric called ‘Wenda’ sure turns people’s heads. The top part of the attire ‘bannda’ is worn across the upper body and two pieces of ‘Mivhofho’ used from the same material are tied over the shoulder. This tribe is found in the richest agricultural province of Limpopo.
The Tshitsonga culture is mostly known for their dances performed while wearing the ‘xibelani’ skirt. This skirt is worn by young and old females to their traditional ceremonies where they usually celebrate in song and dance. There is a modern twist on the ‘xibelani’ which is made using colourful wool or lighter fabric because of the heaviness of the original Tsonga attire skirt we see this modern twist being worn by South African female musician Sho Madjozi. The Tshitsonga people are found in the Limpopo Province.
The Khoisan are known to be the first native group in South Africa. This population only makes up a small part of South Africa and you only find a small percentage of this tribe in the Northern Cape. The Khoisan traditional attire is made up of a bundle of cloth in the lower part of the body and a braided necklace for the men and animal skin on the upper and lower body for the women. Today what is left of this tribe can be found in the Northern Cape, the Kalahari, Namibia and Botswana.
It is no wonder South Africans are known as the Rainbow Nation because of all the beautiful traditional wear found throughout the country that gives each tribe a unique DNA. Next time you travel to a province look out for all the eye catching couture.
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