About this artwork
Within Zulu communities, serving sorghum beer to family and guests creates a sense of hospitality, maintains social cohesion, and functions as the primary means for communicating with ancestors. Ornamented vessels like the one displayed here, with textured patterns and blackened surfaces, enhance the experience both socially and spiritually. Women make them by using a coiling technique without a wheel. The decoration both enlivens the container visually and makes it easier to grip the surface.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 137
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Artist
- Azolina MaMncube Ngema
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Culture
- Northern Nguni
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Title
- Vessel (Ukhamba)
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Places
- South Africa (Object made in:), Africa (Object made in:), Province of KwaZulu-Natal (Object made in:)
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Date
- 1970-1990
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Medium
- Blackened terracotta
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Dimensions
- 26.7 × 31.7 cm (10 1/2 × 12 1/2 in.)
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Credit Line
- O. Renard Goltra Fund
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Reference Number
- 1996.435
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
