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Photo Essay - The Zulu Maiden Reed Dance.pdf

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Book titled "One lens three views" by Sandra Maytham-Bailey. Supporting documentary images for MA Dissertation on the Zulu Maiden Reed Dance

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This document explores the complexity of the Zulu Reed Dance in the context of creating a photographic record of the event in various narrative styles within the genre of documentary photography. The author-photographer acknowledges their subjective contribution in the image making process, and uses this understanding to demonstrate a continuum of subjectivity that operates depending on the visual narrative being constructed. To contextualise the photographers approach, the document explores the social, political and economic landscape, and the dominant visual record produced by media. A qualitative review of six national newspapers demonstrates that the media view is relatively generic and does not attempt to engage with alternative perspectives. The document also explores critical theory on the subject of the qualification of a photographer to provide an accurate record outside of their cultural status. The author considers the validity of image production and the reception of the work as indicative of a continuum of subjectivity. To demonstrate this fluidity, the photographer produces three photo essays, all made at the same event at the same time with very different narrative outcomes. These photo essays can be found the accompanying book titled ‘One lens three views’.

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

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Vibrant culture

Zulu reed dance is a celebration of zulu culture.

J J oining the friends and relatives of thousands of young girls attired in traditional Zulu dress to watch them sing, dance and celebrate their culture, is a powerful and moving experience.  

This annual ceremony, known as the Mkhosi woMhlanga or the Zulu r eed d ance , is a centuries-old tradition. It takes place in September, right at the start of spring, at the eNyokeni Palace in Nongoma, Zululand.  

Girls from all over the country arrive in the area for the traditional Zulu festivities. These are spread over several days and represent an important rite of passage for the young women.  

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

A A s well as joining in traditional singing and dancing, the r eed d ance is an opportunity to school the girls in their culture. 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.  

While the lessons and ceremonies are steeped in Zulu tradition and culture, this mass gathering of young people is also an opportunity to discuss contemporary social issues that affect them, such as HIV and teen pregnancies.  

For visitors, the highlight of the event is the reed-giving ceremony. Led by Zulu princesses, the young women make a sea of colour in intricately beaded outfits as they each collect a cut reed and present it to the king. Zulu men also participate in this part of the ceremony, singing and mock fighting.  

According to Zulu tradition, the original ancestor emerged from a reed bed, so the laying of reeds at the king’s feet symbolises respect for the Zulu culture. The reeds are also used to build traditional Zulu huts and to craft the mats and baskets for which the Zulu people are famous.  

T T ravel tips & p lanning  info  

Who to contact 

KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority   Tel: +27 (0)31 366 7500    Email:  [email protected]    

How to get here  

While visitors to the ceremony are welcome, it’s wise to arrange a guide who can tell you more about the ceremony and help you to understand cultural sensitivities and taboos.  

Best time to visit 

The Zulu reed dance takes place in early September.    

Things to do 

Zululand is home to world-famous national parks and private nature reserves. The area is also particularly rich in historic, cultural and coastal attractions.  

The Zululand Heritage Route follows one of the oldest trade routes through Zululand. It begins at the Dokodweni Toll Plaza and ends 250km further north at the town of Phongolo .  

What to pack 

It’s generally already very warm in Zululand in September but afternoon thundershowers can occur so summer clothes and raincoats or umbrellas.  

Related l inks  

  • Tourism KwaZulu-Natal  
  • Zululand Eco-Adventures  

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umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

Interesting facts about Umkhosi WoMhlanga – the famous Zulu Reed Dance

Updated Nov. 2, 2020, 12:50 p.m. | By Sponsored

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Learn why this dance is the most loved and celebrated dance for Zulu maidens.

umkhosi woMhlanga

Year after year, young Zulu girls who are virgins look forward to the Umkhosi WoMhlanga dance where Zulu culture and heritage is celebrated through traditional dance, music, art, and craft.

The dance dates back many years before King Goodwill Zwelithini reintroduced it in 1991.

This traditional event attracts over 30,000 girls from all over KwaZulu-Natal, Botswana, and the Eastern Cape.

Thousands of girls sing traditional Zulu songs while dancing in front of the king. The girls come bare-breasted and wear their traditional beadwork, showing how proud they are of their culture and their virginity. The dress code includes beadwork; izigege, izinculuba, imintsha, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, and colourful sashes.

The aim of the dance is to promote sexual purity until marriage. The girls are groomed from a young age to take pride in their virginity. Elderly women do this grooming. 

Then in September, maidens from all over KwaZulu-Natal come in their numbers to the ceremony. This event takes place for five days. It starts at the Zulu Royal Residence - eNyokeni and then proceeds to eMachobeni Royal Residence in Ngwavuma.

One of the most exciting moments during the festivities is the keynote address from the king which encourages the girls to remain virgins until marriage.

The young maidens dance for the king and each girl takes a reed to lay down before the king. The reeds are chosen from the queen mother’s village and the girls carry them towering above their heads to the Enyokeni Palace. When they arrive there, the designated princess leads the procession.

With so many sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, this ceremony helps to ease the problem. It is a sense of national pride and a true symbol of the unity of the Zulu nation. It offers emotional gratification to the girls for keeping their purity.

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umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

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Zulu Reed Dance | Umkhosi womhlanga

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Zulu as a tribe is very interesting with a rich culture. That is the reason why it attracts people and maintains its rich values. These values are demonstrated for different reasons and at very different times. One of the times prominent on the calendar is Reed dance or uMhlanga.

Zulu Reed Dance – King Goodwill Zwelithini This ceremony takes place around Kwazulu-Natal where King Goodwill Zwelithini stays. Reed Ceremony is a colourful and cultural celebration that promotes respect for young women and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. The occasion stands also as an educational experience and gives young maidens chance to exercise behavior before Zulu King.

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

Umkhosi womhlanga – Zulu background goes back up to Nkabazwe, also known as land of origin and stands as a source of civilization. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini KaBehezulu is referred to as uHlanga lwezwe because it links with historical ancestors. History shows that when this tribe decided to move in the direction of the South, they moved in rafts made of reeds. This is where the phrase in isiZulu called sehla ngesilulu which means traditional boats comes from.

Statistics show that the ceremony has recorded up to 21 000 participants every September since being launched in 1984. These virgins gather at Zulu Kings Enyokeni Traditional Residence. People who come to witness are also many because the ceremony is enjoyed by many traditional leaders and citizens.

The occasion usually involves delivering reed sticks from the river, singing and dancing. It also provides young maidens with an opportunity to learn and understand the Zulu Songs; the role of leading is left to princesses. The attires worn by maidens is called Izigege and Izinculuba. This is spiced up with beadwork to display true African beauty. This procession passes by the king and lay reeds nearby in readiness for kings’ speech. According to Zulu tradition, the original ancestor emerged from a reed bed, so the laying of reeds at the kings’ feet symbolizes respect for the Zulu culture. These collected reeds are also used to build traditional Zulu huts and to craft the mats and baskets for which the Zulu people are famous for.

umhlanga reed dance

Men during this time sing songs and engage in mock fighting. The king talks mainly about Zulu culture and traditions especially celibacy before marriage. Maidens are allowed to ululate and praise the Zulu King. As a cultural gesture, the group maidens then get a name from the King to distinguish themselves from other women. Different traditional lessons are taught during this ceremony, these lessons also involve marriage and how to demand respect during this sacred institution of life.

Looking at how rich this Zulu Reed Dance ceremony is, it is not surprising that it attracts thousands of people from all walks of life and with different social status in society.

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Cultural Significance of South Africa's Zulu Reed Dance Festival

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

South Africa’s Reed Dance Festival is an ancient tradition of the Swazi and Zulu people known as the Umkhosi womhlanga, or the Zulu Reed Dance. It is an annual event in early September at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal,  South Africa . The festival’s name is derived from the riverbed reeds. 

Zulu Reed Dance Festival is a time-honored tradition that has existed for generations. The festival is held in honor of the Zulu people's ancestors and is a way to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. One of its most important aspects is the reed dance itself.

In the past, young Zulu men would go into the mountains to find reeds. They would then use these reeds to make weapons and shields. The young women would also go into the mountains to gather reeds but would weave them into baskets and mats. 

This culture-influenced festival aims at paying respect to women and preparing young girls for womanhood. It is a celebration of virginity and fertility and an avenue for young Zulu women to show respect for their elders. Thousands of young women travel from all over South Africa to participate in the Reed Dance every year. For many of them, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

Another critical aspect of the festival is the virginity test. It is a ritual performed on all the young women attending the festival. A group of older women inspects each girl's virginity before she is allowed to participate in the reed dance. Upon passing the virginity test, their senior princess leads thousands of Zulu girls, carrying the reeds, singing, and dancing. They appear bare-breasted in traditional accessories defined by their beadwork, which dramatically emphasizes traditional beauty. 

As a sign of honor and respect, they present their reeds to the Queen Mother, an important figure in the Zulu community. It is also an opportunity for them to learn about their culture and traditions. 

Zulu Reed Dance is a three-four-day event characterized by art, dance, music and cuisine. It brings communities and families together to celebrate their heritage. It is usually a joyous occasion that honors the fertility of the Zulu people. Families prepare traditional dishes such as umngqusho (a cornmeal dish) and beef stew, and everyone enjoys music and dancing well into the night. Young people also get a chance to meet potential partners.

While the lessons and ceremonies are steeped in Zulu tradition and culture, this mass gathering of young people is also an opportunity to discuss contemporary social issues that affect them.

In recent years, the Reed Dance has become more popular with  tourists . While some believe this commercialization detracts from the event's cultural significance, others argue that it helps preserve Zulu traditions by providing an income for those who participate and allows visitors from all over the world to experience South African culture in all its glory. 

Those looking for something different and off-the-beaten path during their  travels  should take advantage of a visit to South Africa for this festival.

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umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

 Victoria Ezechukwu-Nwagwu is the Executive Assistant to the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine. She is a communication enthusiast with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication. She is passionate about learning new things and influencing creative innovations.

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umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

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Home » News » News » Royal Reed Dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga) provides educational info to Young Women

Royal Reed Dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga) provides educational info to Young Women

Mmeli Decius Gwebu | Posted on September 10, 2019 |

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

Over the weekend on Saturday 7 September, thousands of maidens came out in numbers to attend this year’s Reed Dance at eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu- Natal. The Royal Reed Dance is an annual event which aims to celebrate and unify the Zulu nation as well as honouring the nation’s virgin maidens. In light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, this cultural practise hopes to curb this epidemic by promoting a culture of respect for young women who, vow to remain virgins until marriage.

These maidens come from provinces such as Mpumalanga, Gauteng as well as neighbouring countries including Swaziland participated in the festivities which also instilled pride within the Zulu nation.

The Department of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Zulu Royal Household, also used the event to expose young women to different career choices by inviting different higher education institutions to showcase courses on offer at their campuses. As one of the institutions, the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) engaged with Grade 9 to 12 learners including, school leavers, unemployed graduates and other community members to inform them about UNIZULU’s academic programme and requirements. There were over 20 000 youth attended the ceremony.

Benzokuhle Ngubane, a Grade 10 learner from Durban Girls High School said “This is my first time attending the ceremony, trust me next year I’m back as the event is very effective especially to young girls, I didn’t know there will be educational programme within the event, I am interested in Sport Science” she said it was essential for learners to take part. UNIZULU exhibited along with the CAO, DUT, NYDA, SETAs as well as government departments

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Reed Dance Festival: Zulu

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Date: late August/early September

Description: This type of celebration (called Umkhosi woMhlanga in the Zulu language) gathers all the maidens of the land to show their virtue, talent and beauty as well as pay tribute and show their allegiance to their rulers. It is a festival typical for the two smaller provinces of South Africa, which are KwaZulu-Natal and Kingdom of Swaziland (for the latter visit post „Reed Dance Festival: Swazi“). The dance festival is convened when the river reeds are ready for cutting, which thus begins as a communal task and symbolical act of social solidarity. The reed is an important symbol for power of nature and origin of the nation, since Zulus believe that their first ancestor emerged from a reed bed. Important parts of the festival are ritual purification of all the girls, walking to the harvesting place, where the reed is cut and then bringing the plant to the royal palace in procession with joyful singing and dancing. The performance of the young girls – who are representation of the nation – is a way how to bestow the symbolic authority to the rulers. In return the king makes sacrifice on behalf of all the young women and their communities, which is also the last part of the festival. Although the Reed Dance Festival should be based on displaying virtues and chastity of the maidens, many unwanted pregnancies result from it and sexual abuse is reported every year. Therefore both Swazi and Zulu authorities have recently used the festival as an opportunity to educate their people about sexual safety and morality, in an attempt to prevent teenage pregnancy and spreading diseases.

Source: ROY, Christian. Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, [2005].

Official website Video on Youtube – Reed Dance in kwaNongoma

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The Ulwazi Programme

Umkhosi Womhlanga, a Poem by Tunde Dada

Earlier this week we wrote about the reed dance ceremony that took place over the weekend at the Enyokeni Royal Palace. The reed dance, or  uMkhosi woMhlanga , is practiced by both the Zulus and the Swazis as an annual celebration of their young maidens.

Below is a poem about the ceremony that was penned by Nigerian author, educationalist and literary critic, Dada Dare Babatunde, who goes by the name Tunde Dada:

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

To show the humans and gods their breasts As a testimony to their being celibates For such is how the Zululand celebrates The virginity of the females The singles and those betrothed to the males

Here comes your own time, maiden Let not your soft heart be laden With the fears of the rite of passage But be brave like a lioness in courage

If you’ve got it, flaunt it Be neither ashamed nor shy a bit To show the eyes your hills and valley From where shall flow, the milk and honey Into an infant mouth, a suckling When you shall turn a mother, nursing

Hear how the hands hit the drums At the edge of paradise and the valley of slums The beat and songs beckon to you

Pick up your izigege and izinculuba, the blue Adorn your arms with your mother’s bracelets And your ankles with the anklets That are made of strings and beads

Bear the strongest and the longest of the reeds Above your head like a tower

To show the menfolk your beauty and power

May your reed never break on the way Lest the mouths shall shout and say Look, this maiden is no virgin A shame that one can’t imagine

Tread gently up the hill to Enyokeni Palace To dance for the king as a miss Wind your waist and shake your rump Let your bare breasts dance and jump Flapping like the wings of a flying sparrow

Sing some songs like a swallow And leave the rest till next September If at all, you shall still be a spinster

The poem  Umkhosi Womhlanga forms part of the 2016 anthology, Echoes at the Crack of Dawn , by Tunde Dada

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Sights and sounds from uMkhosi woMhlanga 2022

umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  • Princess Lwazi Zulu carrying a shield and her reed leads the nearly 50 000 maidens.
  • Image Credits :
  • Skhangiwe Mthiyane
  • 18 September 2022, 20:07 [SAST]

eNyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa Nongoma northern KwaZulu-Natal was buzzing with beautiful Zulu virgin maidens at the weekend.

Nearly 50 000 Zulu maidens came to participate in the sacred ceremony called Umkhosi woMhlanga or Zulu Reed Dance.

Dressed in their beautiful traditional attire made out of colourful beads, bright short skirts and bare-breasted, the maidens were radiating happiness as they sang and danced.

Zulu Family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu describes the ceremony as a prayer.

Zulu Family spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu says uMkhosi Womhlanga is a sacred ceremony and a prayer to the Throne #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/buj1SBN5PE — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

The ceremony started with Princess Lwazi Zulu leading the maidens from the gates of eNyokeni Royal Palace to a field nearly a kilometer away to go collect umhlanga (reeds) that they would later present to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.  They sang traditional songs and observed customary traditions that were not open to the public before stepping out.

Princess Lwazi Zulu leads the maidens in song to go collect umhlanga (Reed) #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/RCxHl17bDE — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

The walk down to collect the reeds was long but joyous and filled with excitement as the maidens danced and sang the entire way.

Maidens sing and dance as they make their way to collect umhlanga ahead of the annual uMkhosi Womhlanga. #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/TIYclNyFP9 — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022 WATCH: The annual #RoyalReedDance ceremony has officially started. The maidens have changed into their colourful attires, mostly beads before heading down to collect the reed. They will then walk up to the Royal Palace where they will deliver them. #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/2sf27ctRKY — Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022

Despite scorching temperatures and exhaustion, the maidens wouldn’t let anything dampen their mood as they continued to sing and be jovial along the way.

Princess Lwazi Zulu along with the maidens have collected their reeds and are now on their way to present it to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini #sabcnews #ReedDance pic.twitter.com/6CaEn3Onl0 — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

WATCH: Some princesses from the royal house being accompanied by thousands of maidens as they ascend to the Royal Palace to handover the first of many reeds that will be delivered to the palace Today. #RoyalReedDance #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/zmehlO9k1R

— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022 WATCH: Some princesses from the royal house being accompanied by thousands of maidens as they ascend to the Royal Palace to handover the first of many reeds that will be delivered to the palace Today. #RoyalReedDance #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/zmehlO9k1R — Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
WATCH: Praise singers Bab’ Buzetsheni Mdletshe and Mqondisi Mkhize #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/uRwQgPgkAO — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022

And when the King finally emerged from the royal palace to receive the reeds from the maidens, loud cheers from the crowds could be heard. Women ululated.

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has received the reeds from the maidens #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/mt8VjtF8H7 — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

After presenting their reeds to King Misuzulu, the maidens gathered in a field nearby in eager anticipation for the King to deliver his speech.

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini will soon address the maidens #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/5OWBQ818Bb — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

Amazulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini arrives and accepts reeds presented to him:

When King Misuzulu took to the podium to address the maidens, roaring cheers accompanied by ululating could be heard from miles away.

Watch: The maidens cheer loudly when they see King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on the big screen #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/kbGDJmConx — MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022

2022 AmaZulu Reed Dance-Umkhosi Womhlanga at Enyokeni palace

Skhangiwe Mthiyane

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uMkhosi Womhlanga – The Zulu Reed Dance

Every year at the end of September the Zulu nation holds the Reed Dance , where more than 20000 maidens gather from every part of Zululand, bare-breasted & wearing their traditional beadwork, to dance for the King .

IMAGES

  1. Umkhosi womhlanga 2022. The Zulu maidens reed dance at eNyokeni Royal

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  2. umkhosi womhlanga, Zulu reed dance in Enyokeni palace

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  3. Reed Dance ceremony aka Umkhosi Womhlanga underway at the Emachobeni

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  4. Umkhosi womhlanga 2018...IHawu cultural activities

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  5. Maiden In Zulu Traditional Attire For ‘Umkhosi Womhlanga 2018

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

  6. umkhosi womhlanga, Zulu reed dance in Enyokeni palace

    umkhosi womhlanga essay in zulu

VIDEO

  1. uMkhosi Womhlanga Engwavuma : King Misuzulu kaZwelithini Zulu : Izintombi :

COMMENTS

  1. Umkhosi womhlanga

    Umkhosi womhlanga ugujwa njalo ngonyaka esigodlweni seSilo samaBandla iNkosi uGoodwill Zwelithini Zulu uMntwana kaMageba Enyokeni kwaNongoma. Kusuka izintombi ezisuka ezigodini ezahlukene zize kulomkhosi. ... The Zulu Reed Dance is no longer about only the Zulu people as other tribes have been welcomed over the years to take part in it such as ...

  2. PDF The role of uMkhosi WoMhlanga (Reed Dance) and Indoni Cultural events

    Zulu Royal Residence, eNyokeni in KwaNongoma, and the subsequent part takes place at eMachobeni in Ngwavuma. The latter event is smaller in scale and a replica of the main event ... of uMkhosi Womhlanga against any unforeseen circumstances and c) identify maidens easily according to districts as wristbands are colour-coded (Nkosi, 2013).

  3. Photo Essay

    uMkhosi woMhlanga: The Royal Zulu Reed Dance Introducion Photo Essay 1: The Maidens Exposed Photo Essay 2: Postcards Photo Essay 3: Portraits (#ZuluMaiden) 5 Introducion The Reed Dance, also known as uMkosi Womhlanga, is an annual ceremonial event celebrated by the Zulu naion at King Goodwill Zwelithini's royal residence, eNyokeni Royal ...

  4. UMkhosi woMhlanga

    Umkhosi womhlanga umkhosi lapho izinkulungwane zezintombi zamaZulu zihlangana khona eNyokeni esigodlweni seNgonyama yamaZulu ngoMandulo unyaka nonyaka. Umkhosi womhlanga isiko lokukhuthaza ubumsulwa ezintombi nokuhlonishwa kwabesifazane abasebasha.Kanye Baye Befundiswe Nokuhlonipha bobuntombi

  5. The Zulu reed dance is an event to celebrate Zulu culture when young

    J J oining the friends and relatives of thousands of young girls attired in traditional Zulu dress to watch them sing, dance and celebrate their culture, is a powerful and moving experience.. This annual ceremony, known as the Mkhosi woMhlanga or the Zulu r eed d ance, is a centuries-old tradition. It takes place in September, right at the start of spring, at the eNyokeni Palace in Nongoma ...

  6. Umhlanga (ceremony)

    History. Umhlanga was created in the 1940s Eswatini under the rule of Sobhuza II, and is an adaptation of the much older Umchwasho ceremony. The reed dance continues to be practised today in Eswatini. In South Africa, the reed dance was introduced in 1991 by Goodwill Zwelithini, the former King of the Zulus.The dance in South Africa takes place in Nongoma, a royal kraal of the Zulu king.

  7. Umkhosi woMhlanga: This year's Zulu Reed Dance was like no other

    And the regular sight of thousands of singing, dancing Zulu maidens was noticeably absent. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures, and the Zulu tradition known as Umkhosi woMhlanga is no ...

  8. Interesting facts about Umkhosi WoMhlanga

    The dress code includes beadwork; izigege, izinculuba, imintsha, anklets, bracelets, necklaces, and colourful sashes. The aim of the dance is to promote sexual purity until marriage. The girls are ...

  9. uMkhosi woMhlanga

    In addition to preserving an important Zulu tradition, the practice of uMkhosi woMhlanga is keeping up with the times, using the opportunity to educate young girls on the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, human trafficking and falling prey to 'sugar daddies' who entice young girls to give up their virginity, resulting in unplanned ...

  10. ZULU CULTURE: Umkhosi womhlanga interviews(Dance Reed)

    Hello there, this video consist of interviews from one of the most celebrated ceremony in Africa-UMKHOSI WOMHLANGA(Dance Reed). You can check out more videos...

  11. The role of uMkhosi WoMhlanga (Reed Dance) and Indoni Cultural ...

    Abstract. Read online. Cultural tourism is one of the cornerstones and a rapidly growing segment of the tourism industry worldwide. The celebration of cultural events as part of tradition, evoke a sense of national pride to those who have an interest in taking part in them. uMkhosi Womhlanga (Reed Dance) is an annual ceremony celebrated by the Zulu nation of South Africa in September, annually.

  12. Umkhosi womhlanga

    Okwenzeka emkhosini womhlanga. Umkhosi womhlanga, umkhosi ohanjelwa izinkulungwane zezintombi nto. Intombi ngayinye iphatha umhlanga uyowubeka eNkosini. Ngaphambi kokuhanjiswa kwemhlanga, Izintombi emvunilweni yazo siqala ngokuthi sihube amaculo nokusina phambi kweNkosi. Sisuke siveza ubuhle bazo, ubumsulwa, ubuntombi nto kanye nempilo.

  13. Zulu Reed Dance

    Umkhosi womhlanga - Zulu background goes back up to Nkabazwe, also known as land of origin and stands as a source of civilization. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini KaBehezulu is referred to as uHlanga lwezwe because it links with historical ancestors. History shows that when this tribe decided to move in the direction of the South, they moved in rafts made of reeds.

  14. Umkhosi Womhlanga

    Umkhosi Womhlanga uneminyaka ewu-37 wasungulwa noma wasungulwa inkosi uZwelithini nondlukulu uMantfombi kanti ukugujwa okokuqala mhlaka- 5 Septemba 2021 bengasekho emhlabeni. Inkosi uMisuzulu ukhanyise amakhandlela amabili ukuhlonipha abazali bakhe. Uphinde wakhanyisa amanye amakhandlela awu-37 okugubha iminyaka ewu-37 kulomkhosi.

  15. Zulu Reed Dance 2020 (Umkhosi Womhlanga)

    HM King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu of Zulu kingdom, South Africa led social distanced celebrations to mark the Umkhosi Womhlanga or Zulu reed dance festival 2020 on 5th September. The annual festival was restricted to a small gathering due to the COVID19 pandemic. 📷: Bheki Mthethwa Reed dance is a festival celebrated both in Eswatini and

  16. Cultural Significance of South Africa's Zulu Reed Dance Festival

    South Africa's Reed Dance Festival is an ancient tradition of the Swazi and Zulu people known as the Umkhosi womhlanga, or the Zulu Reed Dance. It is an annual event in early September at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The festival's name is derived from the riverbed reeds.

  17. Royal Reed Dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga) provides educational info to Young

    Over the weekend on Saturday 7 September, thousands of maidens came out in numbers to attend this year's Reed Dance at eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu- Natal. The Royal Reed Dance is an annual event which aims to celebrate and unify the Zulu nation as well as honouring the nation's virgin maidens. In […]

  18. Reed Dance Festival: Zulu

    Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Date: late August/early September Description: This type of celebration (called Umkhosi woMhlanga in the Zulu language) gathers all the maidens of the land to show their virtue, talent and beauty as well as pay tribute and show their allegiance to their rulers. It is a festival typical for the two smaller provinces of South Africa, which are ...

  19. Umkhosi woMhlanga: This year's Zulu Reed Dance was like no other

    Exceptional times call for exceptional measures, and the Zulu tradition known as Umkhosi woMhlanga is no exception. This year, as a result of Covid-19, only 30 maidens were invited to participate in a scaled-down ceremony at the Zulu monarch's eNyokeni royal palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.

  20. Umkhosi Womhlanga, a Poem by Tunde Dada

    The reed dance, or uMkhosi woMhlanga, is practiced by both the Zulus and the Swazis as an annual celebration of their young maidens. Below is a poem about the ceremony that was penned by Nigerian author, educationalist and literary critic, Dada Dare Babatunde, who goes by the name Tunde Dada: Ere your conception as a child, unbornAnd your birth ...

  21. Zulu maidens celebrate reed dance in colourful traditional attire

    Reading Time: < 1 minute Zulu maidens have shown up for the Umkhosi Womhlanga or reed dance dressed in colourful traditional attire. Some of the traditional garments are symbolic of their hometowns. Many are singing traditional songs in praise of AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.. Sindisiwe Shongwe and Amanda Gumede are among the maidens.

  22. Sights and sounds from uMkhosi woMhlanga 2022

    Reading Time: 4 minutes eNyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa Nongoma northern KwaZulu-Natal was buzzing with beautiful Zulu virgin maidens at the weekend. Nearly 50 000 Zulu maidens came to participate in the sacred ceremony called Umkhosi woMhlanga or Zulu Reed Dance.. Dressed in their beautiful traditional attire made out of colourful beads, bright short skirts and bare-breasted, the maidens were ...

  23. uMkhosi Womhlanga

    uMkhosi Womhlanga - The Zulu Reed Dance. Every year at the end of September the Zulu nation holds the Reed Dance, where more than 20000 maidens gather from every part of Zululand, bare-breasted & wearing their traditional beadwork, to dance for the King. This video is age-restricted and only available on YouTube.