Reed Dance - Swaziland
by Gloria Ssali
Title
Reed Dance - Swaziland
Artist
Gloria Ssali
Medium
Drawing - Drawing
Description
Swaziland has been inhabitated since the early stone age and there are tracks of subsequent occupation by Bushmen, Sotho and Ntungwanguni clans. Swazi simply means the people of Mswati.The Swazi’s are predominantly Nguni in language and culture. They originate from east central africa. As part of the Nguni expansion southwards, the Swazi crossed the Limpopo river and settled in southern Tsongaland in the late fifteen century. For all the modernisation that has come to Swaziland, the people have preserved their age-old culture and traditional ceremonies. The two most important and colourful of these, in the eyes of Swazi's and foreigners alike, are the Incwala in December and the Umhlanga in late August or early September.
The Incwala or "first fruits" ceremony is rich in symbolism and the most important and sacred of all Swazi ceremonies. During the Incwala, all people, especially male, converge at the Royal Kraal at Ludzidzini for several weeks of traditional dancing which is always joined by the King.
The Umhlanga or "Reed Dance" is the second most important ceremony as well as one of the most colourful. The ceremony is specially for unbetrothed maidens to pay homeage to the King and Queen Mother.
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October 2nd, 2011
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