Sling Bag ‘Xhosa’ Brown Leather

Description

This Classic ‘Xhosa’ Sling Bag in Brown Leather is made from a 100% South African Cow Leather and has a tribal design cotton weave on the front. Our Diesel Leather is buffed, coated in oil and then burned through an ironing press to achieve the effect. Once in use, the oil disperses into the hide, softening the leather from the inside out. This creates a 2 tone distress appearance with a soft velvet touch. The interior of this Classic Sling Bag is lined with an original South African Shweshwe fabric for strength and style. This Xhosa Sling Bag also has an adjustable shoulder strap with brass buckle, detachable brass snap hooks and durable metal zip with slider. All NAVA Apparel bags are handmade by local South African craftswomen.

Artist Inspiration: The Xhosa people are a Bantu ethnic tribe of Southern Africa living in south-east South Africa. The name “Xhosa” comes from that of a legendary leader called uXhosa. There is also a fringe theory that, prior to that, the name Xhosa came from a word meaning “fierce” or “angry” in some San language. The Xhosa Collection was inspired by the strength and determination of our leader Nelson Mandela who fought for freedom for the people of South Africa. The man who made the impossible, possible! So why can’t we all aspire to the same GREATNESS for a better future.

Shweshwe is a printed cotton fabric widely used for traditional South African clothing. Originally dyed indigo, the fabric is manufactured in a variety of colours and printing designs characterised by intricate geometric patterns. Due to its popularity, shweshwe has been described as the denim or tartan of South Africa. Shweshwe is traditionally used to make dresses, skirts, aprons and wraparound clothing. Shweshwe clothing is traditionally worn by newly married Xhosa women, known as makoti, and married Sotho women. Xhosa women have also incorporated the fabric into their traditional ochre-coloured blanket clothing. Aside from traditional wear, shweshwe is used in contemporary South African fashion design for women and men from all ethnic groups, as well as for making accessories and upholstery. It is also used in the United States as a quilting fabric.