The use of colors in Ndebele art and culture is significant, reflecting the Ndebele people's beliefs, traditions, and values. Black and white, in particular, hold important symbolic meaning in Ndebele culture, and are often used in art to represent various aspects of life and death.

In Ndebele culture, black is often associated with death, mourning, and the underworld. The color black is used in various ways to represent death, such as in the clothing and jewelry worn during funeral ceremonies (Beinart, 2011). Black also symbolizes the transition from life to death, and the journey of the deceased to the spiritual realm.

White, on the other hand, is associated with purity, life, and the spiritual realm. White is used to represent the positive aspects of life, such as birth, purity, and the spiritual realm. In Ndebele culture, white is often used to represent ancestral spirits, who are believed to exist in the spiritual realm and can influence the living world (Zibani, 2018). White is also used to symbolize the continuity of life beyond death, and the hope for a better future in the afterlife.

The use of black and white together in Ndebele art is also significant. The juxtaposition of these two colors represents the interplay between life and death. This interplay is evident in many Ndebele artworks, such as in the design of the Ndebele homes, which are often adorned with vibrant and colorful geometric patterns. The use of black and white in these patterns reflects the Ndebele people's belief in the continuity of life, even after death (Beinart, 2011).

In addition to representing life and death, black and white are also used to convey social and cultural meanings in Ndebele culture. For example, black may be used to represent the idea of darkness, such as the unknown or mysterious, while white may be used to represent the idea of light or knowledge (Zibani, 2018). These symbolic meanings are reflected in Ndebele art and are used to communicate social and cultural values to the community.

Overall, the use of black and white in Ndebele culture is significant and multifaceted. These colors represent not only the ideas of life and death but also convey social and cultural meanings. The use of black and white together in Ndebele art reflects the Ndebele people's belief in the continuity of life, even after death, and their hope for a better future in the afterlife. The symbolism of black and white in Ndebele culture has endured over time and remains an integral part of Ndebele art and culture.

References:

Beinart, W. (2011). Ndebele. In B. M. Fagan (Ed.), The Oxford companion to archaeology (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Bhebhe, N. (2015). Exploring the symbolism of color in African art: The Ndebele of Southern Africa. Journal of Pan African Studies, 8(2), 74-87.

Gule, V. (2011). Ndebele women’s art as an expression of identity and empowerment in South Africa. Journal of International Women's Studies, 12(4), 95-108.

Khumalo, F. (2006). A cultural reading of color symbolism in Ndebele female artistic expression. Journal of social sciences, 12(1), 37-44.

Makwavarara, L. (2017). The role of death rituals in Ndebele culture: A case study of Bulilima district in Zimbabwe. Journal of Indigenous Social Development, 6(1), 38-49.

Pauw, I., & Bredekamp, H. (2003). The lion's share: Towards an archaeological history of Ndebele expressive culture. Southern African Humanities, 15, 107-138.

Zibani, N. (2018). An investigation into the use of colour in Ndebele mural paintings. South African Journal of Art History, 33(2), 43-53.

Black and White: The Dualistic Symbolism of Life and Death in Ndebele Culture