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Zulu Maidens asend on Enyokeni to dance for the King

Zulu Maidens asend on Enyokeni to dance for the King

Date: 2017-09-14

Thousands of Zulu virgins were gathered at the King’s Enyokeni Traditional Residence for the Reed Dance last Saturday 9 September. The ceremony is said to promote preserving a young girls virginity until marriage.

The young women delivered reed sticks, sing and dance. The girls collect a reed from a huge pile and proceed in a very long procession. They are led by the senior princess. As they pass the King they lay their reed down. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear ‘izigege’ and ‘izinculuba’ beautiful beads around their waists which serve as their skirts.

Maidens are taught by senior females how to behave themselves and be proud of their virginity and naked bodies. That allows maidens to expect respect from their suitors who intend approaching them during the ceremony.

The Zulu Reed Dance plays a significant part of Zulu heritage in reflecting diverse African customs. This ceremony is still close to the heart of many traditional leaders and citizens. It portrays and instills a sense of pride, belonging and identity among the youth.

This ceremony has been tirelessly celebrated by countless generations in early September of each year. Thousands of maidens converge on King Zwelithini kaBhekizulu’s palace to dance to the delight of the King, loyal subjects and guests. Only virgins are permitted to take part in this ritual.

The 33rd edition of the annual reed dance has received huge local and international support. Over 45 000 maidens presented their reeds to the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini at eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The maidens came from other provinces as well as Swaziland. Thousands of maidens from as far as Mpumalanga, Gauteng and neighbouring countries including Swaziland presented their Reed to the Zulu King at the Nyokeni palace in Nongoma on the northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The maidens dressed in colourful traditional attire sang and danced as they walked about three kilometres with their reeds to the royal house. They were led by Princess Cebolenkosi, the daughter of the Zulu King.