Umhlanga begins with 50 000 registrations

Imbali dance up a storm upon arrival at Engabezweni Royal Resi-dence yesterday for this year’s Umhlanga Ceremony.

MBABANE – The annual Umhlanga ceremony began in earnest as 50 000 maidens yesterday registered to participate.

The acting Imbali Overseer, Hlangabeza Mdluli, said maidens had come in numbers following His Majesty King Mswati III’s call to attend the cultural ceremony.

“More maidens are still coming through to register for Umhlanga but the number currently stands at 50 000 and we are still expecting more. The impressive numbers show that Imbali is more than ready to participate in the 2013 Umhlanga ceremony,” Mdluli said.                       
The registration of maidens at Ludzidzini and Ngabezweni Royal Residences marked the beginning of the seven-day national ceremony rated as a major tourist attraction for Swaziland.    

Maidens are expected to be commissioned by the King to cut reed today.
This year’s Umhlanga holiday will be on September 2 (Monday).
 “Maidens will be expected to respect tindvuna. Do not question orders and always avail yourself on time for all activities. None of the maidens will be allowed to have braids, make-up, wear shiny kangas and hair belts,” said member of the Committed Imbali Nomfanelo Mdluli at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.

The cultural event, which attracts a lot of tourists to the kingdom is an event which sees a myriad of maidens gather for seven days. The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 000 maidens last year.
As maidens flocked the royal residences, sponsors alike also dished out cash towards the Imbali Foundation whose vision bearer and leader is Inkhosatana Sikhanyiso.

On behalf of Swazi MTN, Head of Corporate Services Pholile Dlamini presented a whooping E200 000 cheque to sponsor the Imbali Foundation’s campaign to provide maidens with toiletries during the reed dance.
The Prince Lindani Foundation also donated E5 000 to the Imbali Foundation.

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