Reed Dance Ceremony in The Kingdom of Swaziland _vid # 2
The Reed Dance Ceremony (Umhlanga) is where thousands of Swazi maidens gather reeds, wear traditional clothes, journey to Royal Kraal and perform to pay tribute to the Queen Mother. The only Swazi maidens who are allowed to join the ceremony are those who are childless and unwed. The ceremony usually happens late August or early September. This is the time when shifting of seasons happen and reeds are maturing, making it a perfect time for harvesting; it lasts around eight days.
The days of the Umhlanga Reed Dance are chosen based on the cycle of the moon. It cannot be specifically chosen based on the calendar. Once the moon cycle has been assessed, the exact dates for the ceremony are then broadcasted through public radio, which is done by the maidens’ captain (indvuna yetintfombi). She is selected through Royal Appointment based on her expertise of the dance and her knowledge of the national royal protocol. The indvuna yetintfombi will be the one to guide the other maidens along with one princess as they begin on day one of the ceremony.
The ceremony has three main goals. First, uphold a woman’s virginity. It’s a way to encourage Swazi Maidens to abstain from any intimate relations until they are in the rightful age for marriage. Second is to honor the Queen Mother. The gathered and cut reeds by the Swazi Maidens will be brought to the Royal Residence used as windbreakers. Lastly, this ceremony becomes an opportunity for these women to form stronger bonds and unity amongst them.
-
9:39
KSHB
3 years agoChiefs Kingdom Shorts: Ring Ceremony
9 -
0:21
MelNewlandMusic
2 years agoKINGDOM COME
38 -
2:02
mnearguy
3 years ago2018 Dance, Dance,Dance
251 -
29:21
The Bitcoin Family
1 day agoBITCOIN DIP BUT THIS IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT!!
9.59K7 -
31:38
CarlCrusher
18 hours agoThe Mysteries of Skinwalker Ranch
8.91K -
4:30
Price of Reason
17 hours agoUnsung Hero Movie Review - Is It Any Good? The Rebecca St. James, for KING & COUNTRY Story
7.33K7 -
6:14
Morgonn
17 hours agoSTINCHFIELD - Should Social Media be regulated? - Gen Z - Age Restrictions?
20.5K15 -
8:26
GeekyNerdyTechy
22 hours agoPanasonic LUMIX S 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens | The World's Smallest Macro!
26.2K4 -
11:02
JoBlo Horror Originals
22 hours agoIntruder: A Forgotten Supermarket Slasher
37.8K6 -
13:39
ParisDemers
18 hours agoBruce Lee's Training System Will Transform Your Body FAST (8-Week Plan)
30K6