shwe shwe

A recent exhibition at our local gallery featured the dolls made for the Uthando Project in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
These are the 'Mother Africa' dolls made by two hills seamstresses and they were a HUGE hit. All at the exhibition were sold within a nano second.
These are the two wonderful Mother Africas I ordered and collected today.
One for me...who could resist..and one for E's Christmas present (hopefully she will not resist!)

I collected these gorgeous girls from G, founder of the now 10 year old project.
Some of the spotted and dotted cloth worn by these matrons is called 'shwe shwe' and so called because in Zulu it expresses sound the dresses make as they swish and move.
G explained the material dot designs may well come from the very intricate Zulu beading designs that carry with them messages, depending on the design.

The doll makers volunteer their time and skills and the materials are all donated. Very inspiring and the exhibition raised $15,000!!!! exceeding all expectations and so very worthwhile.
Here is their site www.uthandoproject.org