On the left, she is married , she wears the beads necklaces, and on
the right, her sister is not yet married, as she wears the big red
necklace.
Mwila (or Mumuhuila, or Muhuila) women are famous for their very
special hairstyles. Hairstyles are very important and meaningful in
Mwila culture. Women coat their hair with a red paste called, oncula,
which is made of crushed red stone. They also put a mix of oil,
crushed tree bark, dried cow dung and herbs on their hair. Besides
they decorate their hairstyle with beads, cauri shells (real or
plastic ones) and even dried food. Shaving the forehead is considered
as a sign of beauty. The plaits, which look like dreadlocks, are
called nontombi and have a precise meaning. Women or girls usually
have 4 or 6 nontombi, but when they only have 3 it means that someone
died in their family. Mwila Women are also famous for their necklaces,
which are central and meaningful as for each period of their life
corresponds a specific type of necklace. Young girls wear necklaces,
heavy red made with beads covered with a mix of soil land latex. Later
girls wear yellow necklaces called, Vikeka, made with wicker covered
with earth. They keep until their wedding which can last 4 years. When
married they start to wear a set of stacked up bead necklaces, called
Vilanda. Women never take their necklace off and have to sleep with
it. They also use headrests to protect their hairstyles. However, more
and more men and women dress in a western way, because people make fun
of them when they go to markets. Women sometimes walk 50 kilometers to
sell goods in Huila market. Mwila rarely eat meat, they rather eat
porridge, corn, chicken, honey and milk. They kill their cattle only
on special occasions. Mwila are not allowed to mention people’s name
in public.
© Eric Lafforgue
www.ericlafforgue.com
subirbasak, .. ... . .monkey head, Pensiero, John Magnet Bell, Wearing a Red Tie, and 402 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Adriano Aquino 22 months ago | reply
Superb!
Arunas S 22 months ago | reply
From a fan of Regents
This excellent image deserves a Regents Award
Pachisi 22 months ago | reply
Awesome!!!
Playing for Change!!!
youtu.be/fgWFxFg7-GU
Vecky22 21 months ago | reply
Sorprendente!
sly's eye 21 months ago | reply
Magnifique photo! Merci du partage, Eric! :)
JebbiePix 21 months ago | reply
AMAZING SHOT!
Please add your wonderful image in:
The MAGIC EYE - Post 1 / Award 3
in eva vae 21 months ago | reply
Very good, thank you for
adding to The MAGIC EYE
I love this image!
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j.p.yef 21 months ago | reply
Very good, thank you for
adding to The MAGIC EYE
I love this image!
The MAGIC EYE - Post 1 / Award 3
tomraven 21 months ago | reply
Magnificent!
Very good, thank you for
adding to The MAGIC EYE
I love this image!
The MAGIC EYE - Post 1 / Award 3
lele orpo 21 months ago | reply
Very good, thank you for
adding to The MAGIC EYE
I love this image!
The MAGIC EYE - Post 1 / Award 3
Aislyna 21 months ago | reply
Top-notch photography. A huge favorite.
From a fan of Regents
This excellent image deserves a Regents Award
VanDeevin 21 months ago | reply
From a fan of Regents
This excellent image deserves a Regents Award
losy 17 months ago | reply
Seen in:
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zecaruso 17 months ago | reply
Seen in:
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Piotr Organa 17 months ago | reply
Seen in:
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thorvaala 17 months ago | reply
Seen in:
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Nevena Uzurov 15 months ago | reply
Wonderful capture.
skagitrenee 13 months ago | reply
Hi, I am a moderator for Howard's Gallery. I seek exemplary work and feel I've found one here. It is my hope you will share and post this picture with pride in Howard's Gallery.
Take a bow as this gallery houses only the very best quality in photography.
Thanks for participating; please join us and consider returning with more of your beautiful work, Irene.
JebbiePix 13 months ago | reply
Please share this in:
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Emilio Segura López 4 months ago | reply
esta foto es muy bella, excelente, felicidades