Imported from Japan to Durban, South Africa in 1897, the ricksha (in Japanese rick=power, sha= carraige) was popular in the beginninng and had a high compensation. But with the rise of the mo- tor vehicles it faded away from the market. Only way was ornamentate themsleves for tout on the street. They became spendid impression on tour- ists’ eyes but couldn’t stay longer.

Late in the 50s -early 70s was the most fierce time on decoration. They used nongoma type of zulu bead work a lot. My piece has a typical nongoma area style of bead work. In zulu bead work there are meanings behind by the colours, figured symbol. A lot of them show their relation- ship status or gender.

(Pon-pon, bead weave, bead peyote stitch, hand paint on sculpted polyurethane foam and pheasant bird feather on iron structured helmet.)