A Reflection on the Communicative Aspects of Tshivenḓa Traditional Attire

Abstract

Tshivenḓa traditional attires assume a socio-cultural and communicative significance and thus are more than mere products of a textile sweatshop. Their true significance becomes apparent in Tshivenḓa culture when a particular attire either by virtue of its design, colour or embroidery conveys a non-verbal yet meaningful message to the observer. The aim of this study was to affirm the notion that Tshivenḓa traditional attires carry and convey cultural meanings. The focus was on how both the male and female attires, including beads and how various colours on such attires serve as communicative implicatures in Tshivenḓa culture. The study employed a qualitative design because it relied on document analysis and literature review for its data collection. The study revealed that there are various attires in Tshivenḓa culture and that these attires are worn for a variety of reasons and with different meanings, such as during ritual performances, initiation ceremonies, to depict power relations, gender and even one’s marital status.