For those who aren't familiar with Zulu beadwork, this is from the book's foreword:
"Beads and beadwork are an integrap part of many African cultures, not least the famous Zulu Nation of southern Africa."
and
"...there is an undeniable need to record fully the rich diversity of Zulu beading techniques, lest they should be lost in generations to come. This is the overriding aim of this book by Diane Fitzgerald who, over a period of years, has studies the broades spectrum of indigenous Zulu beading techniques."
From the introduction:
"Zulu beadwork is multifaceted and has been studied, written about, and exhibited for cultural, aesthetic, and historic reasons. However, I believe this book is the first to be devoted to the bead weaving techniques used by Zulu women. The skill and intricacy exhibited in Zulu beadwork is unike that of any other culture I have seen."
For those who are joining us in our beading journey to southern Africa, both Dagmar and I are planning to stitch the Slinky Chain in 8 sides, using bright colors. We're not in any hurry, this is a work-at-your-own-pace undertaking.