Ankle Bells

Details

Origin: Hhohho, Eswatini
Date: 20th Century
Collection: DHB 36

Description

Pair of natural fiber cords that can be tied around the ankles. Multiple dried butterfly cocoons, all filled with small materials, attached to each cord in a crescent shape.

Eswatini has historically been influenced by its neighboring countries. For example, throughout the 20th century, Swazi men looked to South Africa for work as miners, and through cultural exchange brought back various musical styles and instruments, such as the vocal style of “umbholoho” or the “inkhositina” instrument.

The “sibhaca” dance is another instance of how Eswatini adopted external culture into its own traditions. Lasting for two or three hours at a time, it is a lively dance in which groups of men, wearing mohair on their legs, stomp and chant in sync. All dancers wear colorful quilts, and the women specifically wear ankle bells such as the kind exhibited in the museum, which were likely brought to Eswatini and fully incorporated within the last century.

Because of Swazi efforts to continue in cultural exchange with the surrounding regions, young modern artists that maintain the nation’s musical traditions have risen to success, including Thobile Makhoyane and Bholoja.

Sources

“Eswatini (Swaziland).” Maps of World, 2021. https://www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/swaziland.html.
“High Commission of the Kingdom of Eswatini Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.” Traditional Ceremonies and Dances | Eswatini High Comission of Malaysia. Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, 2022. https://www.swazilandkualalumpur.org/discover/traditional_dance.php.
Kuipers, Ludo. “Making Music in Swaziland.” OzOutback. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://ozoutback.com.au/Swaziland/music/index.html#more.
Meintjes, Louise. “South African Music Lecture.” Lecture, March 3, 2007.
Stacey, Cara. “Traditional Music in Swaziland.” Music In Africa, May 25, 2016. https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/traditional-music-swaziland#:~:text=Vocal%20styles%20such%20as%20umbholoho,elsewhere%20over%20the%20past%20century.
“Swaziland – Swazi Tribal Women Doing the Sibhaca Dance.” Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/swaziland-swazi-tribal-women-doing-the-sibhaca-dance/.