(S) Zulu maidens reed dance

Thousands of Zulu maidens took part in the Reed Dance Festival. Umkhosi Womhlanga (Reed Dance Festival) is one of the cultural ceremonies hosted by the Zulu royalty. It is focused on celebrating purity of maidens and highlights the values that come with prolonging their virginity. It dates back to the times before King Shaka and was revived by King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. According to Zulu tradition, only virgins are permitted to take part in the festival. Men known as 'amaButho', or Zulu regiments, follow women in traditional leopard skins and ostrich feathers - wielding spears, shields and clubs known as knobkerries. This year about 3 000 maidens are expected to hand reeds over to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at Emachobeni Palace, and in Enyokeni Palace two weeks later. The reed reflects a deep mythical connection with the origin of the Zulu people where, tradition says, the original ancestor emerged from the reed beds.