Blog

Explore My News,
Thoughts & Inspiration

RSS Feed

Umhlanga / Reed dance

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.


 

 

10 Comments

  4. Hi Kriek hoop jy geniet dit. Gaan goed hier, is die weer al beter? Mis jul, groete vir Jumbo.

  5. Yeah dats wat we call the Swazi Culture. The best Culture in the World. Am sure you had a great time. Next time join the dance.

  6. I would like to join the reed dance next year in Swaziland. The problem is I know nothing about what sort of attire I must wear since I will be turning 26 yrs. Also to come and experience the other half of my culture with my friend Phiwe.

    Also I need more info on my attire, given my age.

  7. Swazis should continue with their culture.
    It is so beautiful and it what makes swazis
    different from other nations.
    I hope that more maidans are going to join
    the reed dance next year.

  8. I’m not Swazi but i went there my first time this year and damn it was great,it was the most beautiful thing i had ever been too and i’m definately goin back this year, maybe this time i’ll have the guts to wear the mini attire!!

  9. writing from the US tell me more about the event ‘would like to be part of it.what part of swazi is it held? how about accomodation r there hotel near by? update

Comments are closed.