Traditionally Xhosa men and women smoke pipes and carry bags in which to keep dried home grown tobacco leaves. The bags are functional and decorative additions to their dress. A woman’s bag is usually made from white cotton base, hanging at hip level from a long shoulder strap. The bag would normally be decorated in traditional Xhosa style with stripes and dots, using beads and rows of black braid or bootlace adorned with bells or tassels. A man’s bag would normally be made from animal skin and decorated in a style similar to that of woman’s bags. The particular skin used varied with the current fashion in a clan or tribe, in much the same way as the pattern.

Traditional bags are still made and can be purchased from the Keiskamma Art Project. In addition modern embroidered shopping bags and western style decorative evening bags are available. Small handy bags are a very popular range and are used for eyeglasses, passports or travel sewing or medicine kits. Customised tote bags for conferences, information packs or company advertising can be commissioned.