Wesselton’s Izintombi Zothingo Lenkosazane maidens off to Swaziland for reed dance
The official purpose of the annual ceremony is to preserve a woman’s chastity and produce solidarity among the women through working together.
The Izintombi Zothingo Lenkosazane group will travel to the Swaziland’s royal residence to participate in the annual traditional chastity rite called Umhlanga or reed dance ceremony on Friday, 31 August.
According to Ms Sonto Mlambo, leader of the group, five buses from Gert Sibande District will cross the border to take part in the ritual at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace.
The official purpose of the annual ceremony is to preserve a woman’s chastity and to produce solidarity among the women through working together.
They will be placed according to age groups and led by male guards, the girls will put reeds together and send them back to the royal residence where they are used to mend holes in the reed fences and buildings.
They dress in their skirts and beads with their breasts exposed, as customs stipulates.
Holding knives they cut the reeds as a symbol of their virginity and will march to the forecourt of the king’s palace where the royal family, guests, tourists and the public will be seated.
The reed dance ceremony originates from the Umcwasho custom where young girls were placed in age regiments to ensure their virginity.
Once they reached the age of marriage, they would perform labour for the queen mother, followed by dancing and a feast.
The maidens will display culture and tradition as they sing and dance for the king who is allowed to choose a new wife at the end of the ceremony.
More than 100 maidens from Wesselton will attend the event.
