This paper examines the degree to which belonging to “Southern Ndebele”’ identity is expressed through material culture, such as beadwork, wall paintings, architecture and distinctive ways of dressing. Seeing material culture as a signifier and proclamation of Ndebele identity has attracted media attention and generated valuable insight about the expression of belonging to Ndebele identity in South Africa. However, drawing inferences about identity from material culture can obscure details and nuances about identity and belonging and the complex manner in which they relate to material culture. This article argues that the inherently complex and unstable nature of ethnic identities has to be considered when analysing and detecting shifts in material culture and its use as an identity marker in Ndebele communities. Drawing on the long history of association between Ndebele identity and material culture, this paper exposes the dynamics, complexities and nuances about identity and belonging to push beyond narrow interpretations of material culture as markers and expression of Ndebeleness. Based on ethnographic research conducted in the KwaMhlanga region, the paper explores the material production of Ndebeleness within the context of crafting a South African nation in order to illuminate the complexities of formulations of meaning and belonging.

本文研究了通过物质文化（如珠饰，壁画，建筑和独特的着装方式）表达“南恩德贝勒”身份的程度。将物质文化视为Ndebele身份的标志和宣告，已经引起了媒体的关注，并就在南非表达Ndebele身份的归属产生了宝贵的见解。但是，从物质文化中得出关于身份的推论会掩盖关于身份和归属的细节和细微差别，以及它们与物质文化相关的复杂方式。本文认为，在分析和发现物质文化的变迁及其在恩德贝勒社区中作为一种身份标志物的使用时，必须考虑种族身份固有的复杂性和不稳定性。借助Ndebele身份与物质文化之间悠久的联系历史，本文揭示了关于身份的动态，复杂性和细微差别，并超越了对物质文化作为Ndebeleness的标记和表达的狭义解释。基于在夸姆汉加地区进行的人种学研究，本文在建立一个南非民族的背景下探索了恩德贝莱尼斯人的物质生产，以阐明意义和归属的表述的复杂性。