Description

Ndebele women decorate themselves with many different types of body ornaments, but none are as permanent as dzilla. Dzilla are metal neck rings (often copper or brass), which are permanently fixed to a women’s neck, leg or arm.

Among the Ndebele, women wore dzilla after marriage. Dzilla indicated a woman’s social status and wealth, with multiple rings being a sign of the generosity and wealth of her husband. Today this tradition has become less common.  

The permanence of the rings on the body symbolized the lasting bond between the couple and the undying faithfulness of a wife to her husband, even in death.

This dzilla was worn around the neck and is decorated with a crosshatch design.