Isicholo hats

In many African cultures and societies, adorning one’s head is a significant an important part of cultural dress and attire.

Isicholo is the Zulu word for married woman’s headdress, and these were worn traditionally to indicate their married status, especially at important social and cultural events. In the more rural towns of Zululand, you can still see women wearing these whilst going about their daily chores.

Making these hats is a time consuming and laborious task. A round tightly woven basket like frame is constructed using traditional weaving techniques, and a fine cotton cloth is then stretched over the frame and sewn into a concentric circular pattern.

The vibrant colors and round form of the hats have now found their way into contemporary home and office décor much like the Juju hats from Cameroon. The Isicholo’s make a wonderful display on stands, hung individually, or in groups.

The picture below shows our hats in the making!