Times Of Swaziland: AT LEAST 90 000 IMBALI REGISTER FOR REED DANCE

AT LEAST 90 000 IMBALI REGISTER FOR REED DANCE
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BY SIBUSISO SHANGE on 26/08/2015 04:39:00


MBABANE – Imbali has continued to show its enthusiasm for Swazi culture as the
figures of maidens who registered to take part in the reed dance has increased
by 10 000 this year.
At least 90 000 maidens had already registered at Ludzidzini and Ngabezweni
Royal Residence at around 6pm yesterday.
These figures were confirmed by acting Imbali Overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli. Last
year 80 000 maidens took part in the ceremony. Mdluli said a major increase was
expected since more trucks were still transporting the maidens from their
chiefdoms. “For now we have recorded over 90 000 maidens in the registry.
As we speak trucks are delivering maidens. Some have indicated that they are
still waiting for trucks to fetch them at their chiefdoms. This means that the
number will increase,” Mdluli said last night.
The maidens arrived in numbers singing kuhlehla songs as per the norm. Some were
clad in their traditional attire as if it was the main day, while others were
dressed casually.
They were welcomed by their Indvuna, Nonduduzo Zubuko and members of the Imbali
Foundation, who reminded them about the expectations during the course of the
event.
Winile Dlamini from Imbali Foundation reminded the maidens to refrain from
composing their own songs but sing the ones taught to them last week.
Dlamini reminded them to dress smart. “Nigcoke kahle nichakaze nitigcabhe
mbali,” she said in vernacular.
She said they should not wear leggings. Dlamini emphasised that imbali should
show respect as Swazis were known for it.
“Do as you are told, for example pick a piece of paper if you are ordered to
do so. Love your neighbour as yourself, do not steal from each other,” she
warned Imbali.
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