Nguni

A fascinating introduction to the art of the Nguni diaspora—a transformative era in southeast African history that continues to shape the region todayIn the early 1800s, a period of warfare and political upheaval initiated by the expanding Zulu kingdom caused many Nguni communities to leave their homeland of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, some traveling as far as present-day Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As various groups moved across the continent, their artistic traditions evolved in response to new social, cultural, and geographic contexts. Highlighting the important role of art in this semi-nomadic society, Nguni: Migrant Nations of Southeast Africa illustrates how the battlefield, the domestic space, and the body became key sites for creative expression during a tumultuous time. In this portrait of a people in migration, equal weight is given to scholarly inquiry and knowledge held by contemporary makers and guardians of Nguni oral tradition. Essays on Nguni origins, history, and art are enhanced by testimonies from direct descendants of four historic rulers: Shaka, Mzilikazi, Zwangendaba, and Langalibalele I. Showcasing the refined aesthetics of Nguni artworks, the publication explores a wide range of nineteenth-century objects, from shields, spears, and staffs to headrests, beadwork, and baskets, many of which are considered masterworks and published here for the first time. Photographs highlighting Nguni lifeways and festivals, taken by South African photographer Jabulani Dhlamini, bring these objects into dialogue with the present day.Distributed for the Yale University Art GalleryExhibition schedule:Yale University Art Gallery(September 11, 2026–June 20, 2027)