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Intombi; The Maiden

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QUILT INDEX RECORD

12-8-5246

Who documented this quilt?

Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; South Africa Quilt History Project; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Collection

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Michigan State University Museum

Michigan Quilt Project Number:

08.0067

If this quilt is owned by a museum, enter the accession number:

2008:119.7

Object label:

Intombi
Maria Hlomuka
Soweto, South Africa
1986
Collection of Michigan State University Museum acc.#2008:119.7

Essay:

In 1986, a group of black South African quiltmakers who were members of the Zamani Soweto Sisters Council, were brought to England as part of a program to create a self-help group for impoverished and mistreated South African women. Cuesta was invited to be an instructor for the program and, while in England, purchased this quilt from Maria. After returning home, Cuesta began to give lectures on the patchwork quilts of the Zamani Soweto Sister Council and the anti-apartheid struggle.

From Cuesta,
I had written and become friends with Zamani prior to my meeting with them in London in 1986. I especially admired Maria Hlomuka because she was a poet as well as a creative quiltmaker. In London, I spent the most enjoyable three weeks with Zamani that I can remember. I bought the "Intombi Quilt" not only for its beauty but also to have a Maria Hlomuka work, a Zamani work, something unlike any other piece in the world.

By Mary Worrall, from the exhibit Unpacking Collections: the Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, An African American Quilt Scholar.

Quilt's title:

Intombi

Subject of the quilt:

African maiden

Names for quilt's pattern in common use:

The Maiden

When was the form filled out?

4/22/08

Quilt top made by:

Hlomuka, Maria

Quilted by:

Hlomuka, Maria

If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?

Received as a gift

Where the quilt was made, city:

Soweto

Where the quilt was made, country:

South Africa

Time period:

1976-1999

When was the quilt finished?

1986

Why was the quilt made?

Art or personal expression

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Quiltmaker's city:

Soweto

Quiltmaker's country:

United States; South Africa

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

South African

Quiltmaker's mother's ethnic/tribal background:

South African

Other notes on how the quiltmaker learned, and how and why they quilt:

The designer, Maria Hlomuka, did a series of original designs for quilts and wall quilts. All of her quilts were "one of a kind". She was described as a genius and a poet.

This is a:

Finished quilt

How wide is the quilt?

29"

How long is the quilt?

38"

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Beige or Tan; Black; Blue; Brown; White

Quilt's condition:

Very good/almost new

Describe the quilt's layout:

Medallion or framed center

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Number of borders:

3

Describe the borders:

inner 2 1/2" dark brown middle 2" tan outer 1" dark brown

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Cotton; Cotton or polyester blend

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Solid/plain

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing

Applique techniques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Applique

Embellishment techniques used to make the quilt top:

Embroidery

Embellishments used:

Beads attached

Materials used to make the back:

Cotton or polyester blend

What color is the back of the quilt?

Cream

Describe the back:

Same fabric used throughout; Solid/plain

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton or polyester blend

How is the binding made?

Back turned to front

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Cannot tell

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

6

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 2:

6

Describe the quilting designs used:

Sun rays

Source of the information on this quilt:

MSU Museum employee

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public- Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's name:

Michigan State University Museum

Quilt owner's city:

East Lansing

Quilt owner's county:

Ingham

Quilt owner's state:

Michigan (MI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Purchase

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

This quilt was collected by Cuesta Benberry to further her research on quiltmaking and/or African American quiltmaking. Her son donated the collection to the Michigan State University Museum when she passed away in 2007.

Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

Mrs. Benberry purchased this quilt when she went to England to see the display in Piccadilly by the South African quilters - the Zamani Soweto Sisters' Council. These ladies came to England and visited France, as well, to learn how to create a self-help group for the impoverished and mistreated South African women. Apartheid was still going on in their country. Deidre Amsden went to Africa later and taught them quilting techniques. This show was heralded by the British press. They sold some of their work and had a second show in Brixton at Brixton Gallery. From Cuesta, "I had written and become friends with Zamani prior to my meeting with them in London in 1986. I especially admired Maria Hlomuka because she was a poet as well asa creative quiltmaker. In London, I spent the most enjoyable three weeks with Zamani that I can remember. I bought the "Intombi Quilt" not only for its beauty but also to have a Maria Hlomuka work, a Zamani work, something unlike any other piece in the world."

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?

Made entire quilt

Who photographed this quilt?

Pearl Yee Wong

Copyright holder:

MSU Board of Trustees

Cite this Quilt

Hlomuka, Mari. Intombi. 1986. From Michigan State University Museum, Michigan Quilt Project; Michigan State University Museum Collection; Quilts and Human Rights; South Africa Quilt History Project; The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Collection. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=12-8-5246. Accessed: 03/29/24

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