Arts, Culture and Sport

The Giant Bead Necklace: Angola

Have you had a closer look at the giant bead necklace called the Vilanda? It marks important periods in the lives of women from Angolan tribes such as Mwila, Mucawana and Mumuhuia. If you haven’t you are in for a beautiful treat.

Published

10 years ago

January 17, 2016

Ruvarashe Beta

The giant bead necklace is made of beads and mud. When girls are younger they wear red beads, and when they get older, they start wearing yellow necklaces called Vikeka. The Viveka is kept until marriage. After marriage, the ladies start wearing a necklace called Vilanda. A Vilanda necklace is made up of multicolored beads mixed with mud and latex, stacked in layers. Once worn, the necklace is never removed.