The Zulu Reed Dance
More than 25 0 Zulu virgins accumulate at the King’s Enyokeni Traditional Residence for this very colourful and significant ceremony every September which promotes appreciate for young women and preserves the customized of retaining ladies as virgins until marriage. In the olden days, the ladies gathered at the Zulu Reed Ceremony (Umkhosi woMhlanga) and men at the First Fruits Ceremony (Umkhosi wokweshwama).
The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and chance for younger maidens to learn how to behave earlier than the Zulu King.
This is performed whilst delivering reed sticks, singing and dancing. Maidens learn and recognize the songs whilst the younger princesses lead the virgins. The maidens put on ‘izigege’ and ‘izinculuba’ that show their bottoms. Traditional apparel includes beadwork to symbolise African splendour at its best.
At this stage, the maidens are taught by means of senior women how to behave themselves and be proud of their virginity and naked bodies. That permits maidens to expect to admire from their suitors who intend coming near them at some stage in the ceremony.
The 2nd segment is teaching the young maidens ‘amatshitshi’ by way of their older sisters ‘amaqhikiza’ on how to behave in married life. Young maidens are encouraged no longer to argue or reply at once however to wish the suitor properly on his trip back.
After protracted discussions, the older sisters then approach the mom of the impressed maiden about the impending love relationship. If the father accepts the suitor the two households meet and items are exchanged as a sign of a cordial relationship.
After this, the younger maiden ‘itshitshi’ takes the subsequent step of being ‘iqhikiza’ – a lady in cost of the younger maidens. By then they are skilled chief maidens who act as advisors to the youthful maidens – and are ready for married life.
The Zulu Reed Dance performs an extensive part of Zulu heritage in reflecting various African customs. This ceremony is still close to the heart of many regular leaders and citizens. It portrays and instils a feeling of pride, belonging and identity among the youth.
This ceremony has been tirelessly celebrated with the aid of infinite generations in early September of each year. Thousands of maidens converge on King Zwelithini kaBhekizulu’s palace to dance to the satisfaction of the King, loyal subjects and guests. Only virgins are authorised to take a phase in this ritual.
Each maiden has to elevate a reed from the river and existing it to the King in a wonderful procession at the Enyokeni Palace. The female converges incorporations from the Zululand areas on the Kings Palace the day before the ceremony. The endeavour promotes purity among the virgin female and respect for women. The Zulu Reed Dance ceremony is the key thing of maintaining young ladies virgins till they are geared up to get married.
On the day of the ceremony, the girls begin on foot to the major hut of the King’s palace. As the King seems to watch the procession of ladies he is praised via his poets or reward singers (isimbongi). The women gather a reed from a big pile and proceed in a very long procession. They are led via the senior princess. As they omit the King they lay their reed down and head in the direction of the place the King delivers his speech. While this is happening the guys sing their songs and engage in mock fighting. After the festivities, the King gives you a speech. This speech is a very direct and forthright message on the expected mores and traditions of the Zulu nation. The King is very direct and nothing is left to the imagination. He is a high-quality proponent of celibacy till marriage.
Afterwards, the maidens be a part of in unison ululating and singing the Kings praises in a joyous mood. As a cultural gesture, the crew of maidens then get a name from the King to distinguish themselves from other women.
The King’s Speech
These are some items taken from the King’s Speech to the maidens at the Zulu Reed Dance in 2004. (Translated from isiZulu into English)
“On the sunrise of this day I am continually overjoyed, this prompted by means of seeing all of our stunning flora (our children) and our culture. I would like to thank you for this chance to address and welcome ‘izintombi’ (young, virginal girls) who have come from a long way and wide to attend Umhlanga (Reed Dance) which suggests that the desires of our forefathers are still coming actual and that our youngsters favour a brighter future. Thank you to all who have helped make this day possible.
“Most of us understand that this yr the ceremony is a little special from previous years, this is brought about by using the truth that we are celebrating 12 years considering that the re-introduction if this ceremony.
“This ceremony was once re-introduced in 1984 with a few ‘izintombi’, there were additionally ‘amabutho’ (young warriors). I have requested all these ‘izintombi’ and ‘amabutho’ who are now ‘omama’ (married women/mothers) and ‘obaba’ (married men/fathers) to be here.
