Meaning behind the use and wearing of traditional beadwork at Msinga Area.

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the meaning that the people of Msinga area assign to the use and wearing of traditional beadwork. Many people in most areas of our country have adopted the western culture which brought along with it Christianity that led to a decline in the wearing and the use of traditional beadwork. Western civilization also divided the community into two categories, where one finds people who still adhere to traditional culture and those that are westernized. The question that this study aimed to address is to find out whether the people of Msinga area that are still adhering to their traditional culture still value the use and wearing of traditional beadwork. If they do so, what meaning do they assign to any type of beadwork they make and wear? Findings were that those people of Msinga area that are still adhering to their traditional culture, still value the use and wearing of traditional beadwork, and that they have an influence to those that are westernized who are now considering wearing their traditional beadwork as well.