This Auction is for Two (2) African Zulu Love Letter AIDS Awareness Pins Perfect for World AIDS Day - December 1. Zulu love letter AIDS ribbons are white with a bold red ribbon (all in mini glass beads). They measure approximately 1" x 1.5". Each piece is handmade on a safety pin so the love letter can be worn. As AIDS has so severely struck Africans, the symbol for AIDS has become integrated into the culture and traditional handicrafts. These ribbons are similar to those given to the delegates at the World AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa in July 2000. The Zulus are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship. Many women make beautiful baskets and beadwork using traditional art forms in order to supplement their incomes. We work with several collectives that use these traditional art forms to help women and HIV positive individuals financially independent. Glass beads originally found their way into Zululand form the Portuguese Trading Station at Delaggoa Bay, and then later through European traders who settled in Zululand. When the young Zulu men left home to work on farms or distant towns, they had no knowledge of writing by which messages could be recorded, and so developed a form of symbolism, whereby messages were conveyed between lovers in "the language of beads". Thus was born the Zulu love letter. The Zulu maidens would "write letters" in beads to convey messages from the heart, or gentle reminders to their distant loves. Purchase will be shipped once payment clears. New York State residents add sales tax. See our other wonderful gift items and save on shipping by making multiple purchases. Email queries welcomed. Auction winner agrees to respond by email within 3 days and pay within 10. If you aren't already known for your great gifts, shop with us and earn a fabulous reputation. We work hard to find unusual, affordable and enduring gifts for our customers to order from home! You'll be amazed by the variety of very special gift items we have collected from all over the world. Thanks for Looking - Worldesigns Check out our ebay store for other wonderful Zulu and African crafts.