adminBrenda Phiri Lifestyle Writer
Nothing beats Africa when it comes to fashion and beauty. Yes, the afro centric bug bit Saturday Lifestyle this week but there is no crime in flaunting the African pride. Yes diamond jewellery is a girls’ best friend and gold shines brighter than glitter. However, ethnic is better, do not be fooled by the prices. Seke based ethnic jeweller Brian Sinoya believes that going back to basics with handmade accessories is the way to go.
“Ethnic jewellery is timeless and there is no price tag you can put to look that part. From my four years of experience in the trade I have come to appreciate that ethnic jewellery is as good that made of gold, silver and diamonds and at times even better,” he said.
Priceless in deed and no one can take away how bold and confident a person looks in ethnic jewellery. It is no secret that multimillion dollar fashion houses are in the habit of incorporating ethnic characteristic in designs.
The fact is bare, ethnic transform beings and makes them sophisticated while exposing the natural and down to earth side of a person. If that is not beauty, what is?
Zimbabwe takes pride in having a productive arts and craft sector where people are working to revolutionise ethnicity.
The capabilities of simple resources; soap berry seeds, jacaranda seeds, bamboos and twine found in the bush are truly amazing.
Customers have the option to customise according to their taste or general preference.
The colour and style of handmade jewellery can be altered to suit a person’s character or appearance. Better still, one can take ideas from different areas to bring out something unique.
Ethnic jewellery comes in different forms, and depending on the creativeness of the artist anything can be made out of most things.
In the case of 30 year old Sinoya, ordinary seeds can produce the most exquisite jewellery.
“The gift that I have allows me to work around with mostly seeds to produce ear rings, neck laces and bracelets. Depending on the seeds available in a particular season, I have made ear rings from peach seeds and strychnos spinosa (matamba) seeds. The trick in making them look beautiful is one’s technique that usually comes with experience,” he said.
In this era where concrete jungles have emerged and migrating is the order of day, many fashionistas have turned to ethnic jewellery to keep in touch with the motherland.
The fashion is not only for native Africans but traces of it can be spotted in all parts of the globe and with people of all races creed.
“Celebrities are spotting the look on television, red carpet shows and even in the streets. It is stylish and gives a person substance. This is contrary to a perception that some people have about it being only for the rural or backward people. Ethnic is the new ‘urban’ and can accessorise funky or casual outfits,” he said.
The jeweller enjoys brisk business from the high earned through supplying in courier shops around Victoria Falls, at arts festivals and regularly at Sam Levy’s Village in Borrowdale.
He said it indicates that the indigenous people appreciate the trade far less than tourists.
“We use various materials, among them, glass beads known in Shona as ‘chuma’. There is no denying that some people use these when appeasing spirits but the fashionable ones we make are free of spirits.
“Ethnic jewellery has been a fashion statement from the days of our ancestors but just like the westerners, we need to value our heritage. Such jewellery is treasured in other neighbouring countries; Kenya, South Africa, Congo but varies in types of raw materials available to them,” he said.
Like any other great work of art, this jewellery requires tender love and care to be at its best the next time they are worn. The specialist recommends that the jewels be kept in a moisture free place with constant polishing with mukwa oil.
The best things in life are free and with this in mind, give those diamond chains and gold earrings a break.
Going ethnic makes the sun smile at you. After all, it’s proudly Zimbabwean.
Online Reporter