Beauty of the Zulu Reed Dance

KwaZulu Natal is inhabited with people of diverse cultural beliefs, practices and rituals. These characteristics distinguish one community from the other, respecting its traditions that are based upon an identity of interest that bonds its inhabitants together. Some of the rituals and practices have already vanished, if not they have acquired some elements of modifications. These cultural deaths and modifications are due to acculturation, education. religious beliefs, western civilization, urbanization and industrialization.  Ukuhlolwa kwezintombi (virginity testing) among the Zulu in KwaZulu Natal in general and in KwaNongoma in particular, is one or the traditional rituals that are practiced. The practice of ukuhlolwa kwezintombi is centuries old but its history is one of considerable flux . While the impact of multicultural contact in the early twentieth century led to its near demise, in recent years we have seen its revival in some parts of KwaZulu Natal including townships....

  A traditional wedding focuses on the marrying couple's heritage, and fuses culture and a party atmosphere to ring in a new marriage. It's all about incorporating traditions from both cultures, and often little consideration is given to the overall cost of the wedding. The Zulu wedding can take many shapes and forms. Usually the bride changes at least three times on her wedding day, showing off to her in-laws how beautiful she is in different colours. Although it is not a Zulu custom for the bride to wear a traditional Christian white wedding gown, nowadays many brides prefer to do so. The wedding service takes place at the local church, and during this time the bride is dressed usually in white. After church the wedding party moves to the bridegroom’s home. The bride changes into a traditional Zulu outfit. One of the highlights of a traditional wedding comes when the parties from the bride’s and the groom’s families compete with each other through the medium of Zulu dance and...

Umemulo is a traditional ceremony that commemorates the coming of age of a Zulu lady. It is a very meaningful ceremony as it marks the transition of a Zulu girl into womanhood, signifying that she is now ready for marriage. It is a  reward from the girl’s parents for "good behavior" or remaining a virgin. The Umemulo ceremony is carried out when a girl hits 21 years and signified by drastic changes as per the Zulu traditions and culture. This is done after Umkhosi Womhlanga.  The rituals involve slaughtering a cow  and the traditional Zulu dance Ukusina involving a spear and guests gifting the young female with money and there blessings.  Umemulo is not just a birthday party; it is a process that involves years of planning from the moment a girl hits puberty at around 13 or 14 years of age. Once a girl reaches 21 and having fulfilled her Zulu tradition obligation she can now prepare for her umemulo. 

 The Reed Dance, brings together the unmarried girls and young women of the country to cut Reeds for the anual repairs to the wind breaks of the queen mothers village: it is also symbolic of the unity of the nation.Being a virgin is something to be proud of. Saving one's body for their lifelong partners This is how it's celebrated.  Year after year, young Zulu girls who are virgins looks forward to Umkhosi Womhlanga dance where Zulu culture and heritage is celebrated through traditional dance, art, music and craft. Thousand of girls and traditional Zulu songs while dancing in front of the king 👑

Reed Dance is an annual ceremony celebrated by the Zulu nation of South Africa in September. Many of Zulu maidens and visitors gather at the Zulu Royal residence, eNyokeni in kwaNongoma.  The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and opportunity for young maidens to learn how to behave before the Zulu King 👑. This is done whilst delivering reed sticks, singing and dancing. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear 'izigege' and izinculuba that shows their bottoms. 

I am Nothile Ngidi (21) from Ulundi Section C. Currently doing my 3rd year in Public Relations Management at University of Zululand. I am also looking for my experiental learning in my upcoming semester. My goal after graduating is to acquire a career in  Public Relations Management. My long-term goal for my blog is to keep my content fresh and give me continual opportunities to write articles surrounding key search terms.  I have to talk about Zulu culture and umkhosi womhlanga. The Zulu people are a Bantu group of Southern Africa and the largest ethnic group in South Africa. 'Kwa' means 'place of' and, under apartheid, the KwaZulu-Natal region was created for the Zulu and Zulu only. It's here that their traditions, folklore, singing and dancing both thrived and survived and I choose umkhosi womhlanga because Reed Dance does many good things :it's fosters self-esteem, strengthens community and provides a strong sense of cultural identity essential for Nation bu...