Okay, I think if you want to understand people, you have to understand their culture. And if you want to understand the culture, I guess you have to learn about it and embrace it.

This weekend it is time for the Swazi Reed Dance (or the Umhlanga). Let me tell you more about it. This ceremony takes place yearly in late August or early September. (The dates are announced over radio and on television.) The ceremony attracts young maidens from all over

Swaziland and it is an opportunity for them to honor the Queen Mother. (Some say this is also the opportunity the king uses to pick his wife and some say it is not.)
 

For the first few days the maidens have to go and cut reed from selected areas and then they bring it to the residence of the Queen Mother for the building of the symbolic screens around the residence. (Or also called ‘kraal'.) After cutting the reed all the girls come together to practice their cultural dances (as a group) and to bath before they appear before the king and Queen Mother. The girls wear colorful traditional skirts and shashes with bracelets, anklets and jewellery. The ceremony comes to a climax with the maidens dancing before the king and Queen Mother. All visitors are welcome on this day to come and look and be part of the festivities. (But you have to be dressed in the traditional attire.)

So today I went with my Swazi friends to buy my traditional attire and on Monday I will go with them to the festivities! I am so excited about this. Next week I will tell you about my experience and show you some pictures. Here is one picture of me with part of the attire.