South Africa Dolls Durban Zulu Rickshaw Puller

Two Zulu dolls of the same type. On the left a rickshaw puller from Durban and on the right a married woman. The Zulu people mainly live in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. A rickshaw is a two-wheeled passenger cart and was imported in Durban in 1892. The gigantic hat and colourful outfit of the rickshaw puller is meant to attract tourists and beat the competition with other rickshaw pullers. Read more about rickshaw pulling here.

Folklore is in the air… uhm… ear!

Details

Object Dolls wearing traditional costume
Origin South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Culture Zulu people
Medium Plastic, felt, wool, beads, feathers
Mark or Tag None
Made by Unknown
Size H 17 cm
Dated Not dated
Acquired Early 2000's

Postcard

Here's a postcard that matches one of these dolls. It shows how the people living in South Africa are dressed in their traditional costume.

Text on the back of the postcard: 'Zulu Ricksha Pullers Durban South Africa. A happy group of colourfully attired Africans whose exuberance and antics assures their popularity as a tourist attraction for beachfront rides. Zoeloe-Riksjas Durban Suid-Afrika. 'n opgewekte groepie Bantoes met kleurvolle tooisels. Hul uitbundigheid en manewales verzeker dat hulle 'n gewilde attraksie is vir toeriste wat 'n rit langs die kuspad wil onderneem'. No postmark (blank), not dated.

Happy collecting,