Colourful isiXhosa attire a highlight
Seamstress displays creations at show
The colourful array of beautiful Xhosa attire and beadwork handcrafted by Thotho Mbatsha, on display at her clothing stall at the Bathurst Agricultural Show, turned many heads.
From her gazebo hung a stunning assortment of colourful Xhosa outfits
(isikhakha), designed and hand-crafted from her Bathurst home.
Her table was lined with various signature beadwork items of all shapes and sizes to suit all ages that completed the colourful spectacle welcoming show patrons.
The isikhakha (dress) is decorated with black bias binding at the hem and neck.
Xhosa women often complete the look with a cloak made from the same material, which includes head scarves, beaded jewellery and a sling bag called
inxili.
“My mother, who was a domestic worker at Harold Bradfield’s farm, taught me the skills during her off hours and I took over from there,” Mbatsha told TOTT on Saturday.
“My aunt also chipped in and taught me how to make these beads and how to translate them according to various colour codings, and the age of potential buyers.
“I was young, very young in fact at the time … and we used to sit under the berry trees and my mother would teach me how to sew dresses and put beads together,” said Mbatsha.
“The cloth of my garments is from raw material that I source myself from various suppliers and most times I organise and put the dresses together from a pattern.
“Other times I decide to do it straight from my head.”
Mbatsha said beadwork skills and creating and sewing Xhosa dresses were passed on from generation to generation.
“In the old days, the Xhosa people used to wear skins and hides and that is how it transitioned into the colourful and creative dress code that we have today.
“I am determined to carry on this tradition to make it even more popular.
“I am also training people in beadmaking and to sew isikhakha.”
Mbathsa said she hoped sales would pick up at the show but was pleased that her order list from interested customers was growing.
“This Xhosa clothing and beadwork is not just for our African people … anyone can wear it and it is very versatile.”
Mbatsha can be contacted on 065-916-9331.