KING IMPRESSED WITH IMBALI

NHLANGANO – The annual Shiselweni Reed Dance ceremony provided a colourful spectacle for both the young and old at the Mbangweni Royal Residence yesterday.

Thousands of maidens from the Shiselweni region and South Africa’s KwaZulu, descended at the royal residence, delivered reed, then danced up a storm in front of Their Majesties.
The maidens braved the nerve-jangling cold, as they sang and danced.
The Shiselweni ceremony is usually held a few weeks after the annual national event attended by maidens known as Imbali (the flower) at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence in Lobamba.

This year’s event was held three weeks ago.
Dancing in the arena began at around 4.30pm, immediately after the arrival of His Majesty the King and emakhosikati.
It all began with the Imbali regiment from the royal family, led by Princess Sikhanyiso, taking to the arena in song and dance.

They danced in seemingly choreographed moves that pleased both royalty and the throngs of people who turned up to watch the proceedings.
Princess Sikhanyiso led the whole regiment in song and marched past the area where His Majesty sat, in what was described as a customary rite for greeting royalty.

The king was all smiles, in admiration as he followed the colourful proceeding.
He watched with interest and waved to the maidens who danced past the area where he sat.
All this happened before Her Majesty the Queen Mother arrived.

She majestically arrived at around 5pm, to wild whistling and praise singing, which came from all corners of the arena.
She was chauffeured in a BMW seven series sedan.
Her Majesty took her seat and also followed the proceedings.
Maidens from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa were show-stoppers with their unusual but beautiful dance moves, as well as their traditional attire, which stood out from the rest.

They caught everyone’s attention with the energy they displayed when they danced in front of their majesties.
The king also took some time with his regiment, to move around the area, doing the famous kudlalisela (a dance move where males show appreciation when females dance).

What was different with the Shiselweni event, as observed by some commentators who attended, was the fact that most of the girls who came to deliver the reed were barely at adolescence stage.
“There are more younger maidens and primary school going children than in previous years,” said Agnes Shiba.
Hlangabeza Mdluli, one of the overseers of the Imbali regiment, also made the same observation.

He believed this was mainly caused by the fact that maidens in the age group 19 to 24 were attending tertiary institutions.
“Older maidens are getting their education and we are happy with that. Most of their schools are not on break during this time of the year,” he said.
Mdluli said the Shiselweni reed dance was a huge success overall.

“The numbers are increasing every year, which means people love their king and culture,” he said.
Mdluli said the king loved his people and his people loved him back.
Yesterday’s event ended last night.
 

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