The
Umhlanga or 'Reed Dance' is the second most important ceremony
as well as one of the most colourful. The cereemony is specially
for unbetrothed maidens to pay homeage to the King and Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother is known as Ndlovukati or 'she elephant'The Maidens
set out to collect reeds from selected areas which are then used
for building a wind break for the Queen Mother.
The
Umhanaga Reed
Dance
In
August or early September each year The Umhlanga (or Reed Dance)
takes place. It is announced during the end of the August, by
the elders of the country, according to the position of the moon
and the stars. With the start of the reed dance, soft rain begins
to fall. It is a ceremony, which attracts young maidens from every
corner of the Kingdom of Swaziland and parts of South Africa and
provides the occasion for them to honor and pay homage to the
Queen Mother (iNdlovukazi). Old and new songs are practiced every
year, some songs tease girls of the other ‚regiment', while
other songs praise the land- or simply tell stories of the community.
Most of the maidens who participate are in their teens, although
there are some younger girls who take part. During the first week
the young maidens gather reeds from specially designated areas,
most of the older maidens travel a long distance, while the younger
ones are left to collect reeds closer to their homes.
The girls wear short beaded skirts decorated with fringes and
buttons; together with anklets, bracelets and necklaces, and colorful
sashes. Each sash has appendages of different colored wool streamers;
these denote whether or not the maiden is betrothed (promised
to marry) and which regiment ( group) she belongs too. The red
feathers in their hair recognize the Royal Family Princesses.
They lead the maidens to perform for the King and Queen. Each
group has its own particular dance steps and song which marks
their respect for the Monarch and his mother. It is not uncommon
for the King to choose another wife during this Ceremony.
Many of the girls carry torches and knives to indicate that they
had cut the reeds at night.
Although
it is an ancient tradition that has similarities to other tribes
of the African continent, modern maidens seem to enjoy the yearly
camp. Homesteads along the reed-cutting route provide shelter
and slaughter a beast for the occcasion. The procession of hundreds
of bare breasted young ladies with small shields, torches and
knives, could be likened to the legendary Amazonian Army. The
women are guarded on all sides by the women's police force and
members of the Umbutfo (the Kings traditional Men's Regiment).
The Ndzimba Mountains and the dramatic colors of the African skies
as background, the beauties of the country join their singing
voices in unison. It is a sight and experience so rare in this
modern commercialized fanfare of international carnivals. It is
not to be missed.
