uMbalo blanket, detail

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. However, blankets came to be adapted by some of the populace. For instance, the blanket shown was made by a member of the Southern Nguni clan. It would have been originally white and without the embellishments. The blanket is one in a collection at the Iziko South African National Gallery.