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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Ethnic and gender identities in Venda Domba statues |
Author: | Nettleton, Anitra |
Year: | 1992 |
Periodical: | African Studies |
Volume: | 51 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 203-230 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | South Africa Venda Republic |
Subjects: | Venda girls' initiation women sculpture Architecture and the Arts Women's Issues Ethnic and Race Relations Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) arts Cultural Roles |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1080/00020189208707757 |
Abstract: | Among the Venda in the northern Transvaal, South Africa, sculptures are used as didactic tools within the context of female initiation, starting with the puberty rites of the 'vhusha' and culminating in the premarriage school of 'domba'. In the 'vhusha' clay figures are almost exclusively used, but in the 'domba' either clay or wood figures, or both, may be used. This article examines these figures in the light of the available evidence as to the development of the 'domba' as a Venda institution, and the way in which its organization and the images which it uses, reflect both the place of women in Venda society and contribute to the maintenance of an exclusive 'Venda' identity. The article is based on research conducted from 1978 to 1981 and from 1990 to 1991. Bibliogr., notes, ref. |