This Isipethu hanging is 12" x 16”.  It’s hand embroidered and hand appliquéd.  Each of the Isipethu hanging has handwritten stories translated from Zulu. This story reads as follows:

 "Water is important in our life because most of the daily things we do need water. To cook,wash and bath. Irrigation and our livestock need water. We need to keep our water clean"

 I have close contact with the Isipethu Sewing Group and visited them when I was last in South Africa. You can find out more under the "Makers" link above. Various textile artists have collected work by this group, and their work has appeared in publications. They are known for their unique design sensibility and their honest story telling through cloth and stitches.

Here is a quote from one of the women in this group:

Margaret Mntambo : “I am looking after 5 orphans whose mothers died. Money from the embroidery assists me in paying for their transport costs to school. I like doing the embroidery because it keeps me busy and my mind active in making choices. I also like to mix with other people and get ideas.