The 'thimba' (isithimba), or back-skirts were worn by young unmarried Ndebele women. The thimba is made of goatskin and was traditionally decorated in colorful beaded patterns. The back-skirt would have been worn around the waist, suspended from a beaded grass-cored hoop and was traditionally worn as an indicator of the woman being of an marriageable age.

There are signs of wear and some missing beads and imperfections due to the age of the skirts.