| nongqayi
-
'the
restrainers' |
The
Museum Village - in the grounds of the picturesque
Fort Nongqayi in Eshowe
- houses a series of museums covering a wide range of local
interest from early Iron Age to contemporary Zulu art and
craft, from natural history to missionary history and from
wars between nations to the battle against the tsetse fly.
The three-turreted white fort which houses the Zululand
Historical Museum was built in 1883 by the British to house
the barefoot Zulu police force (the Nongqayi) whose
task it was to protect and enforce British administration
following the Anglo-Zulu
War.
Also
in the grounds is a relocated 19th century corrugated-iron
settler's house with a restaurant and tea garden offering
excellent food and refreshment in a relaxed atmosphere. |
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Opening
Hours
Mon-Fri: 07h30 - 16h00
Sat: 09h00-16h00
Sun & Public Holidays:
10h00 - 16h00
Closed:
Christmas Day
Day of Goodwill
New Year's Day
Good Friday
Entrance fee
Adults: R25.00
Scholars: R5.00
Student/Pensioner: R10
Museum guides attend
to all visitors
ZULULAND
HISTORICAL
MUSEUM
Tel:
035-474 2281
email:
zhm
@umlalazi.org.za
VUKANI
MUSEUM
Curator:
Vivienne Garside
Tel:
035 474 5274
email:
vukanimuseum
@lantic.net
Work
by VUKANI craftspeople
is available for purchase
at the museum
ADAMS'
OUTPOST
Restaurant
&
Tea Garden:
Mon-Fri: 09h00-16h00
Sunday: 10h00-15h00
Closed on Saturday
The
MISSION MUSEUM
CHAPEL
is in a beautiful setting
and can be hired for
weddings and functions.
PHUMANI
PAPER-MAKING PROJECT is a community- based poverty alleviation
project and they
make beautiful hand-made gifts out of local vegetation as well
as sugar cane. Their products
are on sale at the Village.
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VUKANI
MUSEUM OF ZULU ART AND CRAFT |
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vukani
- 'wake
up and get going'
ukhamba
- 'earthenware pot in which beer is traditionally served'
imbenge
- 'bowl woven in grass to cover the clay beer pots'
unyazi
- 'shallow woven bowl used for serving food' |
There
has been a renaissance in Zulu arts and craft since the Vukani
Association was formed more than 30 years ago to revive the
then-dying art of basketry.
Through Vukani, men and women have pooled their inherited
knowledge of grasses, palm leaves, natural dyes, beadwork,
woodcarving and ceramics to produce a range of contemporary
items with a traditional theme.
The Vukani Museum houses some of the best work collected over
the years.
Several of the artists have gone on to receive international
recognition and it is worth seeking their work out .
The late Nesta Nala came from a long line of ukhamba
makers who lived in Thukela
valley. Traditionally the clay pots would have been used
for beer brewing and drinking but by working with new tools
and designs, Nesta Nala elevated these everyday domestic objects
to an art form.
A chance meeting with archaeologists excavating near her home
in the 1980's exposed her to early Iron Age pottery designs
which she then developed into her signature style and today
this tradition is being carried on by her daughters.
The late Reuben Ndwandwe from the Hlabisa area was one of
the few remaining men who still weaved baskets. His imbenge
and unyazi were characterised by their diamond designs
and fine overstitching which created a lace-like texture. |
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| ZULULAND
MISSION MUSEUM |
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Eshowe's
modern history begins with the arrival of Norwegian missionaries
in the mid-19th Century. In 1854 Rev Hans Schreuder (pictured
right) of the Norwegian Mission Society was granted permission
by King Mpande
to start a mission station at Ntumeni.
Seven years later, a second Norgwegian, Rev Ommund Oftebro,
established a mission at kwaMondi
(situated in the present King Dinuzulu Suburb in Eshowe).
The Zululand Mission Museum is housed in a contemporary version
of the traditional Norwegian mission chapels and the museum
pays tribute to the legacy of these early men of God and the
spread of Christianity in Zululand.
The venue can be hired for weddings, baptisms, funerals and
conferences. |
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