Southern Africa is Africa at its best with an astonishingly diverse region, complete with abundant wildlife, striking landscapes, and diverse cultures. This part of Africa is the place of many faces – from yellow savannahs to sparkling beaches and snow-capped mountains – the people are as diverse. The melting pot of cultures and colours brings to life a rich fusion of cuisine, art, and tapestries unique to only this area in the world! A lot of safari themes are inspired by the world-famous big 5 – and these images will long linger in your mind – roaring lions; larger-than-life elephants; buffalos in the tall grass; lazy rhinos in the shade of a thorn tree, and leopards gracefully prowling. Dilwana lets you bring the rich culture of Southern Africa to your home.
A region with so many official languages and numerous tribes, the southern tip of the African continent is a mixed bag when it comes to arts and crafts, and the cultures influencing it. To say artisans from Southern Africa are talented is an understatement, and their pottery can compete with the best in the world.
Traditionally, women practised the craft of pottery for daily use, but they are now breaking into outside markets to display their almost unmatched skills. This Southernmost region also boasts an astounding variety of styles; from Afro-wirework statuettes, and intricate and colourful beadwork, to bronze casting and woodwork influenced by the famous “Big 5 South Africa is famous for”
Beading is done by hand and used in a wide array of accessories. While the more traditional glass beads are still used, Southern Africans artisans are also resourceful – artists can fashion beads out of shells, ivory shards, bones, seeds, and even recycled plastic.
At Dilwana, we have a fine selection of Southern African arts and crafts pieces to liven up your home. When you support African art, you are also supporting the environment and the communities in it.
Do you want to know the crafts of Southern Africa? So click here to see some of their crafts together!
