The Princess Collection

Princess of South Africa

Source(s): We R Toys

These photographs are provided with permission from We R Toys.

Princess of South Africa

(Back of the Box)

On the ancient African plains, a vibrant town is the heart of the Ndebele nation. The town’s women paint their houses with dazzling decorations of brightly colored geometric designs, flowers, animals, birds, snakes, numbers, and letters. a beautiful young woman graciously rules over the peaceful village. She is the daughter of the Ndebele paramount chief, descendant of a proto-Nguni tribe, related to the proud Xhosa and Zulu. She moves magnificently throughout the village and greets her people, warmly saying “Litsbouile” (hello). With radiant dark hair and shining eyes, she happily follows her rich tribal culture. There are colorful ceremonies and initiation rights that mark adulthood. At feasts, an entire sheep or cow is stewed in a deep cauldron and eaten with maize meal, sour milk, and sorghum beer. Women sing songs of praise to brave warriors and perform traditional dances, with amadondola (sticks covered with beads) or itbelefomu (dancing maces). Under the golden springtime sun, the princess sets beneath a baobab (a tree known as an “upside down” tree because it has a huge trunk and branches that look like roots). she has mastered the traditional art of beadwork, her most cherished pastime, and begins to sort her bright-hued beads. Each color has a special meaning: white is for goodness, purity, and protection; green and yellow mean growth, abundance and bountiful autumn harvests; blue is a powerful hue linked with the sea and sky. She seriously works at her craft, taught to her by her mother, who learned from her mother. Princess of South Africa Barbie doll proudly wears traditional Ndebele-inspired dress. Her dress features a black and white pattern and is topped with a colorful ugurara (intricately decorated blanket) cape. In Ndebele culture, tight-fitting neck rings are considered the most attractive and essential accessories. She wears golden-colored leg and neck rings called izixolswana. A golden and red headpiece and hoop earrings give her regal beauty. Finally, she holds her own dancing mace to carry on her heritage.

Company	Mattel
Brand	Barbie
Type	Collector
Label	None
Line	Dolls of the World
Collection	The Princess Collection
Edition	Collector Edition
Release Date	2002
Character	None
Face Sculpt	Mbili
Body Sculpt	1999 Belly Button
Hair Type	Saran
Height	11.5″ (29 cm)
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Brown
Mattel SKU	56218