These decorated aprons were gifts from the groom’s family to his wife, and signified her new role in society.
Southern Africa
This spectacular natural site contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara.
uKhahlamba Drakensberg rock paintings (San)
The lamba (generic name for cloth in Madagascar) is worn as a shawl for everyday wear, but the Merina peoples of Central Madagascar also use it as a shroud in which to wrap the dead during burial ceremonies.
Silk textile (lamba akotofahana), Merina peoples
To acknowledge the truly violent nature of humankind is to implicate one’s self in a relationship to such atrocities.
Jane Alexander, Butcher Boys
What do the moon landing and rock art have in common?
Origins of rock art in Africa
Learn about the geography of Southern Africa.
About Southern Africa
Objects traded from as far away as China and southeast Asia have been excavated from this expansive settlement.
Great Zimbabwe
Historically, such brilliantly colored and intricately patterned textiles were made by female weavers from dyed silk thread purchased from Arab and Indian traders.
Martin Rakotoarimanana, Mantle (Lamba Mpanjaka)
What can a few stones tell us about the origins of art? More than you might think!
Apollo 11 Cave Stones
Why watch the tides when you can read about it in the newspaper? Kentridge comments on social class in this drawing.
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