The Reed Dance of Swaziland: Tradition, Culture, & Controversy
🖋️ By Deb | 🕒 November 26, 2022 | 📁 Reed Dance of Swaziland
The Reed Dance of Swaziland is an ancient and important cultural tradition that has been alive for centuries. It’s a colourful event attended by thousands of people from across the country of eSwatini every year.
eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is an absolute monarchy located in Southern Africa. It is a small country, 75% surrounded by eastern South Africa.
It’s a country with stunning natural beauty, including lush forests, rolling hills, and epic wildlife. It’s also home to the annual Reed Dance of Swaziland, also known as Umhlanga, or Place of Reeds.
It has also been called the Dance of the 100,000 Virgins.
Traditionally, the importance of the Swaziland Reed Dance has been a way for young women to celebrate their transition into womanhood and take pride in their Swazi heritage.
In recent years it has come to represent for some the prevailing oppression of the female portion of the eSwatini population. After all, the women are required to dance topless.
Where Is Swaziland
Reed Dance of Swaziland
Modern eSwatini Culture and its History
The people of eSwatini are friendly, welcoming, and proud of their heritage and culture. Despite its small size, the kingdom has managed to establish itself as a significant contributor to the region’s economy and cultural diversity.
eSwatini is a patriarchal society in which men are traditionally viewed as heads of households. Men are also the main decision-makers in both public and private matters.
Women, on the other hand, have limited legal rights and access to land or property ownership, even though they make up over half of the country’s population.
Despite this inequality, the country has seen some progress in recent years, with initiatives to empower and advance women’s rights.
The government has taken steps to promote gender equality by introducing policies aimed at reducing violence against women and girls as well as affording equal access to education.
eSwatini is also a deeply religious country and places great importance on upholding traditional values. The kingdom is a profoundly spiritual place, with many people devoted to the practice of ancestor worship and living in harmony with nature.
Regardless of gender or social status, all citizens take part in religious ceremonies and festivals that celebrate the spirit of eSwatini’s ancient traditions.
The Constitution of eSwatini itself, signed into law by King Mswati III, provides a framework for the protection and promotion of civil and political rights.
As a result, citizens in the kingdom enjoy freedom of assembly, speech, press and religion. The government also actively works to protect wildlife in the country through conservation initiatives like the Big Game Parks Management Program.
All these efforts have yielded significant progress in terms of economic and social development, making eSwatini a more prosperous kingdom.
eSwatini is an incredible country full of history, culture, and pride. Despite its patriarchal society and limited resources, eSwatini has made great strides in achieving gender equality and protecting both traditional values and the environment.
With initiatives like the Big Game Parks Management Program, the kingdom is well on its way to becoming a prosperous nation.
The Reed Dance of Swaziland
The Reed Dance of Swaziland – Umhlanga – is a meaningful cultural event for the people of eSwatini. It’s an enormous eight-day ceremony that leaves observers in awe.
Every year, up to 40,000 young girls gather together dressed in brightly coloured clothes. Held annually in August or September, young unmarried women’s first task is to gather to cut reeds.
These are brought to the Queen Mother at Ludzidzini Royal Village. Though it has become merely symbolic, traditionally the purpose of the reeds was to reinforce the protective hedgerow around the Queen’s residence.
Accompanying them are traditional warrior escorts, wearing cow tails and carrying knob-sticks and shields as symbols of power.
The event is filled with lively sights, sounds and smells. Columns of girls line up for miles across the parade grounds wearing vibrant fabrics, beaded jewellery and traditional headdresses each reflecting their clan.
Reed Dance of Swaziland
Traditional Dances and Song
Once the reeds have been delivered outside the Queen Mother’s quarters the dancing gets underway and the girls move to the main arena. Here they dance topless and sing, captivating spectators with their grace and skill.
The seventh day of the festival is especially significant as it is when the King joins in on the festivities, with each regiment dancing before him in turn.
In the bygone days, at the origin of the Reed Dance, the king was permitted to choose a wife from the thousands of young women who danced for him. The Festival has only recently become focused more on representing the culture of the Swazi people.
Or has it?
But still, the Reed Dance of Swaziland is a true sight to behold, with its amazing grandeur and beauty leaving everyone in attendance speechless.
It features an impressive kaleidoscope of colours that represents all the different communities within Swaziland, further immersing participants in a sensory experience like no other.
Reed Dance of Swaziland
Reed Dance Controversy
Although the reed dance festival has been celebrated for centuries, it’s a distinctly patriarchal event that reinforces traditional gender roles in eSwatini.
Despite this, many young women still participate in order to be seen as respectful citizens of the kingdom. In recent years, the event has also become a platform for young women to speak out about issues of gender equality and human rights.
By standing up against the injustices faced by women in eSwatini, they help to move society forward and create a more equitable future.
Many women participate, though, for the money. Each participant is given approximately US$30. Families are fined just over US$1, or a goat or cow.
In a country where over 2 thirds of the population live in poverty, that much money can make a huge difference in the life of a family.
Another indication of the importance of the Reed Dance? Refusing to participate in the ceremony can also take a young woman out of the running for scholarships, making it impossible to continue her education.
As well, some say that the main purpose of the festival is still for the king to choose a wife.
Another point of objection is the conditions in which the dance participants sleep throughout the festival. The women’s quarters are tents or small classrooms without proper ablutions.
However, the reed dance ceremony is an integral part of eSwatini’s culture and a reminder of the importance of tradition.
Despite its patriarchal aspects, the reed dance serves as something f a platform for young women to speak out on issues that affect them and society as a whole.
By taking part in this annual reed dance, they are hopefully helping to create a brighter future for eSwatini.
What is the purpose of the Reed Dance?
Originally, the Reed Dance of Swaziland was: 1)to provide reeds for the repair of the protective hedge surrounding the Queen Mother’s residence; 2)to give the king the opportunity to choose a new wife from all of the young women in the kingdom; 3)to celebrate chastity and virginity.
Today the festival has become focused more on representing and celebrating the culture of the Swazi people. As well, it is to share that culture with the international contingent of visitors who come to observe.
Where does the Reed Dance come from?
The Reed Dance originated as a method of gathering the women of the kingdom before the king so that he might choose a new wife from among them.
Why is it called the Reed Dance?
The name of the Reed Dance comes from the tradition of the young women gathering reeds and taking them to the Queen Mother’s residence. The purpose of the reeds was to repair the windbreaking hedge around her residence. This happened early in the festival.
Summing It Up – The Reed Dance of Swaziland
Despite the controversy, the Reed Dance is an important part of Swaziland’s culture, and it celebrates the beauty and strength of its people.
The event offers a unique opportunity to witness a vibrant cultural experience that honours African traditions dating back centuries. It’s a special event that captures the beauty and spirit of Swaziland.
So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable cultural experience, then the Reed Dance in Swaziland is definitely one to consider! You’ll be enchanted by the vibrant colours and sounds, energized by the dancing and singing, and moved by the spirit of the Swazi people.
Happy travels!
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