<P> The Xhosa culture has a traditional dress code informed by the individuals social standing portraying different stages of life . The' red blanket people' (Xhosa people) have a custom of wearing red blankets dyed with red ochre, the intensity of the colour varying from tribe to tribe . Other clothing includes beadwork and printed fabrics . Although in general, Xhosa lifestyle has been adapted to Western traditions, the Xhosa people still wear traditional attire for special cultural activities . The various tribes have their own variations of traditional dress which includes the colour of their garments and beadwork . This allows for different Xhosa groups to be able to be distinguishable from one another due to their different styles of dress . The Gcaleka women, for instance, encase their arms and legs in beads and brass bangles and some also wear neck beads . </P> <P> Unmarried women often wear wraps tied around their shoulders, leaving their breasts exposed . Engaged women redden their plaited hair and let it screen their eyes, this was done as a sign of respect for their fiancés . Xhosa women wear some form of headdress to cover their heads as a sign of respect to the head of the family which is either their father or husband . Elderly Xhosa women are allowed to wear more elaborate headpieces because of their seniority . </P> <Ul> <Li>' ' Incebetha' ' is a small blanket that is used as a bra . It is pinned or adorned with beads . The process of making' incebetha' is called' uRhaswa' . </Li> <Li>' Ifulu' is a garment that is worn underneath, below the belt .' Ifulu' is covered by the' isikhakha' or' umbhaco' and is made of a blanket . It is also adorned with beads through' urhaswa' . </Li> <Li>' Iqhiya' is a cloth that is fitted to the head and covered with beads . Women then wear a small and light weight blanket on the waist called' uxakatha' . </Li> <Li> Women make bracelets with beads, called' intsimbi' or' amaso', which they wear on their feet .' Intsimbi' or' amaso' is also worn around the waist .' Intsimbi' or' amaso' is made with small wires or flexible material .' Imitsheke' is worn on the wrist . A small hand bag is worn called' ingxowa' </Li> </Ul> <Li>' ' Incebetha' ' is a small blanket that is used as a bra . It is pinned or adorned with beads . The process of making' incebetha' is called' uRhaswa' . </Li>

Aspects of the economy the xhosa culture depend on