Bidspirit auction | Ndebele Beaded Ceremonial Apron -

Ndebele Beaded Ceremonial Apron - South Africa - Ndebele Beaded Ceremonial Apron - South Africa. Ndebele mapoto, a beaded leather marriage apron worn by married Ndebele women in South Africa, 17.5” x 27”, with fringe along one section. Handcrafted from animal hide and heavily beaded with imported glass seed beads. Traditionally, a bride received a plain hide apron from her mother-in-law and then decorated it with beadwork to mark her new status; the side flaps are often said to symbolize the union of the two families and of the marriage partners.