Times Of Swaziland: NO UMHLANGA REED DANCE THIS YEAR

NO UMHLANGA REED DANCE THIS YEAR
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BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO on 18/08/2020 02:05:00


MBABANE – For the very first time in history, the 2020 Umhlanga Reed Dance
ceremony will not take place.
This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the country and the
world at large.
Umhlanga is among the most important cultural events held annually in the
kingdom and has grown to attract tourists from all over the world.
The main reed dance is normally held around August or early September and is
attended by over 100 000 maidens who are unmarried and childless.
These maidens travel from various chiefdoms to the Ludzidzini Royal Residence to
participate in the seven-day ceremony. On day one, the maidens register upon
arrival at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
King
The following day, His Majesty King Mswati III commissions them to cut the reed
at Bhamsakhe and Mpisi farms, depending on their ages.
The older girls cut the reed at Bhamsakhe, while the younger ones cut it at
Mpisi Farm. On the third day, the maidens head to the swamps to cut the reed,
while on day four, they march back to Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
Day five marks a relaxation and rest period for the maidens at their respective
camps within Lobamba. On day six, the maidens deliver the reed at Ludzidzini
Royal Residence and dance before Their Majesties. On day seven, the maidens
showcase their chastity before Their Majesties at the Ludzidzini stadium and
then return to their respective homes on the next day.
Imbali Indvuna Nonduduzo Zubuko delivered the royal command yesterday at
Ludzidzini Royal Residence. Zubuko said His Majesty King Mswati III was
expecting the arrival of the maidens on August 25, 2020 and the main dance was
to be held on August 31, 2020.
She said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had been cancelled at
Ludzidzini and Shiselweni Royal residences.
According to Zubuko, alternative ways to ensure that the reed was finally
delivered to royal residences would be considered.
Announced
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe also announced that the
issue of the Umhlanga holiday was yet to be deliberated upon and the nation
would be informed in due course.
The minister further urged the maidens to follow all the COVID-19 precautionary
measures while at home and be safe at all times. She commended His Majesty for
the decision to call off the event and place the safety of his nation first.
Imbali Overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli said the reed dance was a way of life for
emaSwati that began long ago where over 100 maidens danced above the cattle
byre. Mdluli said the numbers slowly grew and the maidens shifted to dance below
the cattle byre. However, he said due to the growing numbers exceeding
thousands, a mini stadium was built at Ludzidzini where the ceremony now took
place.
“The stadium itself is becoming small and cannot accommodate the growing
number of maidens,” said the imbali overseer. He said by virtue of the event
not taking place, it definitely had a bearing on tradition, hence they would
ensure that they would try by all means to bring the reed to the royal
residences (Ludzidzini and Mbangweni).
Mdluli said the reed dance usually gathered nations and the country had been
greatly affected.
Senior Prince Masitsela said unlike the Incwala ceremony, the reed dance was
less significant in the country’s traditions.
The prince said umhlanga was bound not to take place under the current
situation, adding that His Majesty cancelled his own birthday and the Easter
services, hence the reed dance was nothing (bigger than that).
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health
discouraged mass gatherings.
According to the prince, the reed dance brought people together and there was no
way that it could take place under this situation of COVID-19.
Health Promotional Officer at WHO local office, Dr Kevin Makadzange commended
the move, stating that Their Majesties made a good decision.
Transmission
Dr Makadzange said, with the reed dance taking place at a time where there was a
transmission happening, it was expected of the country to put off the event.
He said there was no way that Eswatini could host a mass gathering in the midst
of the transmission.
“We are living in the ‘new normal’ following the COVID-19 pandemic and
have to compromise some of the old things we used to do,” said Dr Makadzange.
He stated that the COVID-19 regulations were still in effect and mass gatherings
were banned all over the world.