What is the African Reed Dance?

What is the African Reed Dance?

The reed dance is an ancient tradition of the Swazi and Zulu people with the aim of paying respect to women and preparation of girls to their womanhood. Upon passing the virginity test, thousands of Zulu girls are led by their senior princess and proceed by carrying the reeds, singing, and dancing. …

What is a Zulu Reed Dance?

Older Zulu women teach the young girls, who have to be virgins in order to participate, about how they should act as grown women. As part of this, they promote celibacy until marriage and teach the girls respect for their bodies.

What is the purpose of Umhlanga Reed Dance?

The Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, brings together the unmarried girls and young women of the country to cut reeds for the annual repairs to the windbreaks of the queen mother’s village; it lasts for five days. It is also symbolic of the unity of the nation…

Who qualifies for the Reed Dance?

As the Umhlanga Reed Dance ceremony takes place, a unique thing about it is that only unwed girls are allowed to partake in the event. And when they are dancing, as part of the ceremony, each maiden carries a long reed and dances bare-breasted for the King.

What is uMkhosi Womhlanga in English?

uMkhosi Womhlanga (Reed Dance) is an annual ceremony celebrated by the Zulu nation of South Africa in September, annually. Thousands of Zulu maidens and visitors gather at the Zulu Royal Residence, eNyokeni in KwaNongoma and later eMachobeni Royal Residence in Ngwavuma to participate.

What is the meaning of Umhlanga?

place of reeds
Umhlanga derives its name from the Zulu language and means “place of reeds”, referring to the beds of reeds growing along the Ohlanga River north of Umhlanga Rocks.

What is the motto of Eswatini?

We Are The Fortress

Coat of arms of Eswatini
Torse Azure and Or
Blazon Azure, a Swazi battle shield with decorations, all proper
Supporters To the dexter, a Lion and to the sinister an Elephant, both proper
Motto Siyinqaba “We Are The Fortress”

What are Zulu maidens?

Apart from being a virgin, the maiden is expected to have exhibited virtue and respect towards older people in her community. She is expected, through her behaviour, to win over those elders who conduct the ceremony. This may include having to undergo a “virginity test”.

What is Zulu dance called?

Indlamu
Indlamu (dance) (Zoeloedans), traditional dance of the Zulu people of South Africa.

What is Umhlanga known for?

Umhlanga, which means “place of reeds” in Zulu, is known for its coastal-lying beauty, classy shopping malls and, perhaps above all else, as Durban’s popular resort town, so it’s only natural to find some epic adventures lying in store here.

What is a reed dance ceremony?

The Reed Dance Ceremony is an annual event sponsored by the honorable Zulu King, where Zulu women are taught the meaning of ethics, good morals, life principles, and appropriate etiquette. The celebration includes dancing, music, drumming, and fabulous food.

What is the national flower of Swaziland?

Edelweiss
There’s almost something psychedelic about this colouring page, featuring the Edelweiss, the national flower of Swaziland. Fun Fact: Edelweiss are sometimes referred to as “snow flower”.

What is the Royal Reed Dance Festival in South Africa?

Here, in Nongoma, early every September month, young Zulu maidens will take part in a colourful cultural festival, the Royal Reed Dance festival – or Umkhosi woMhlanga in the Zulu language.

What is the Zulu Reed Dance?

The reed-sticks are carried in a procession by thousands of young maidens who are invited to the King’s palace each year. More than 10 000 maidens, from various communities throughout the province of KwaZulu- Natal, take part in the Reed Dance ceremony, with the rest of the Zulu nation helping them to celebrate their preparation for womanhood.

What is the significance of the reed dance?

The Reed Dance is also a celebration of the Zulu nation and performs the essential role of unifying nation and the king, who presides over the ceremony. The festival takes its name from the riverbed reeds, which are the central focus of this four-day event.

Why is it called the Reed Festival?

The festival takes its name from the riverbed reeds, which are the central focus of this four-day event. The reed-sticks are carried in a procession by thousands of young maidens who are invited to the King’s palace each year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvGG4FD1_pE&list=PLWopWPwG7RShMOXDSlcI5bhz1qUGZz5zP