Editing Zulu people (section)

=== Colours of beads ===
Various forms of beadwork are found in different colour schemes. Typically, there are four different types of colour schemes:
* ''Isisshunka'' – white, light blue, dark green, pale yellow, pink, red, black. This colour scheme is believed to have no specific meaning.<ref name="preston-1994"/>
* ''Isithembu'' – light blue, grass green, bright yellow, red, black. This colour scheme derives from clans or clan areas.<ref name="preston-1994"/>
* ''Umzansi'' – white, dark blue, grass green, red. This colour scheme also derives from clans or clan areas.<ref name="preston-1994"/>
* ''Isinyolovane'' – a combination of any colours not consistent with other colour schemes. This colour scheme is often related to connotations of perfection and charm.<ref name="preston-1994"/>

The colours of beads might hold different meanings based on the area that they originated from. It is often that this can lead to misrepresentation or confusion when attempting to understand what the beadwork is communicating. One cannot assume that the colour system is standard across [[South Africa]]. In some areas, the colour green symbolises jealousy in a certain area, but in other areas it symbolises grass.<ref name="Derwent-1998" /> One must know the origin of the beadwork to interpret the message correctly.