Ndebele marriage blanket, circa 1950

Felt blankets were first introduced to South Africa by the missionaries to attire the natives, who would have worn very little, in a suitably Christian way. It came to be a prized possession for some of the populace as can be seen in the careful beading of the blanket shown. This particular blanket was part of a young Ndebele bride's wedding trousseau. It is one in a collection at the Iziko South African National Gallery.