This lady, walking down the main street in the new pedestrian mall section, is wearing modified traditional clothing. (The modern scarf covering the head and apron replace the wonderful traditional clothing of the rural Xhosa.) These women are incredible, they have the ability and strength to carry huge weights and difficult shapes on their heads while walking along. Potential models should come to them for lessons, I don't know if you have ever tried this, but it is NOT EASY! This 3rd world meets 1st world aspect of Port Elizabeth is one of the things we love about it, and that gives it a unique character.
i love africa too
ReplyDeleteI love Africa, too! And I enjoyed seeing places that I've seen on television!
ReplyDeleteI love Africa, esp. South Africa! (This seems to be a theme among your viewers) The woman pay a high price, tho, do they not for the years of carrying heavy loads on their heads. It's my understanding that it gradually erodes the vertebrae in their necks.
ReplyDeleteI think I can carry something in my head if I try hard enough...or may not.
ReplyDeleteDallas Daily Photo
The elegance of African women, I've seen it in so many marvelous photos and films (e.g., National Geographic) where black women are wearing traditional dresses. Beautiful people.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love africa?
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to make me walk at home with a big book on my head to improve my posture. It was dificult and never did many results :)
Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI posted some icicles for you on http://juneaudailyphoto.blogspot.com Enjoy!
Kate, you are quite right, this looks elegant, and is an amazing skill, but the reality is that it has grown from necessity as a hard life requires women, especially in the rural areas, to carry enormous loads of water and firewood over great distances, just to survive, and yes, it comes at a cost.
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