Shangaan. Staff with Female Figure (Udlwedlwe), 19th century. Wood, beads, hide, fiber, 40 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 3 in. (102.9 x 32.4 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X968. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X968_transpc003.jpg)
Shangaan. Staff with Female Figure (Udlwedlwe), 19th century. Wood, beads, hide, fiber, 40 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 3 in. (102.9 x 32.4 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X968. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X968_PS1.jpg)
Shangaan. Staff with Female Figure (Udlwedlwe), 19th century. Wood, beads, hide, fiber, 40 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 3 in. (102.9 x 32.4 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X968. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.X968_print_detail_bw.jpg)
Shangaan. Staff with Female Figure (Udlwedlwe), 19th century. Wood, beads, hide, fiber, 40 1/2 x 12 3/4 x 3 in. (102.9 x 32.4 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X968. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X968_bw.jpg)
Staff with Female Figure (Udlwedlwe)
Arts of Africa
In addition to being functional, such everyday items as stools, headrest, and staffs may also indicate someone's rank, status, and wealth. Prestige staffs or walking sticks cailled udlwedlwe were used by Zulu elders of both sexes. This staff is decorated with a female figure wearing a traditional Zulu woman's beaded necklace and leather apron.
- Place made: Limpopo Province, South Africa
- Place made: Maputo Province, South Africa
