The national costume of the Venda ethnic group from South Africa looks typically African. Animal skin loin cloths and aprons, colorful blankets worn around the shoulders, glass-beaded jewelry, and so on. This folk attire is very pretty, very authentic, and very cheerful. In modern days, Venda men and women often combine contemporary garments with traditional ‘wenda cloth to create a unique local look you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
The Venda people (VhaVenḓa or Vhangona) are an ethnic group that lives in South Africa, near the Zimbabwean border. The total population is about 2.5 million. The Venda people, of course, have their own culture and clothing traditions. Let’s talk about their national clothing.
Venda male traditional attire
The older and more authentic Venda men’s garments are loin cloths called “tsindi”. They have a triangular shape, cover the front, go between the legs, and are tied at the back. A tsindi is made from soft goat, klipspringer, or duiker skin. The outfit is complemented with a rope around the waist called “ludede”.
For warmth, Venda men wear cloaks over one shoulder called “nguvha”. A nguvha is made from complete goat skin.
Men of high status, for example, chiefs of a tribe, also wear an animal skin headband and a blanket or wrap around the shoulders called “karos” or “sila”.
A more modern variant of Venda male folk clothing is a shirt sewn from the traditional striped colorful ‘wenda cloth. Or a rectangular piece of ‘wenda fabric is tied across one shoulder, like a blanket or stole.
Venda female traditional attire
The ‘wenda cloth is worn by Venda women and girls as well. Little girls who don’t have developed breasts yet wear just a small apron called “shedo”. Teenagers add a “nwenda” garment to cover the upper body – it’s sort of a blanket made from colorful striped ‘wenda fabric with 2 straps that is wrapped around one shoulder and tied by these straps. The straps, by the way, are called “mivhofho”.
Older married Venda women traditionally wear an apron called “tshirivha”. It is made from goat skin and covers the front and the back.
There is also a ceremonial garment used for special occasions called “gwana”. It is a black sheepskin apron that covers only the backside. Although nowadays, the gwana is typically sewn from the ‘wenda cloth.
Venda women wear beaded jewelry and other adornments, as well as most African females. They create handmade bracelets and necklaces from twisted grass called “vhukunda”. Around the wrists and ankles, they wear adornments made from pieces of copper twisted around a string of cotton – called “thuthu” or “shedo”.
Modern female folk attire of Venda people is typically sewn mostly from the traditional ‘wenda cloth. This beautiful and colorful striped fabric is the symbol of this African ethnic group.
