Xhosa Hamper

The most famous Xhosa in modern history is none other than Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa. Xhosa have a rich cultural heritage and have played an important part both in South African history as well as modern day developments.

The Xhosa live mainly in the Eastern Cape - a section of South Africa which used to incorporate Transkei and Ciskei. Most modern day Xhosa people are well integrated into South African life and have adopted Western standards. However, age old traditions still exist in the rural areas, where Xhosa people are ruled by a local chief, where a lobola (dowry) still needs to be paid to secure a bride, and where land and homes are communally owned and managed. The Xhosa are very well known for their magnificent beadwork and ornamentation, reflecting back on the traditions of the people.

Xhosa language is known as the click language, due to the use of click sounds similiar to the click used in English to gee a horse on.