Mbabane: As we continue to grapple with the pandemic, we are learning that historically systems, cultures and missions, can change.
This goes without saying as the Umhlanga Reed dance ceremony for 2020 has been officially canceled. The announcement by Imbali overseer popularly known as Indvuna Yembali Nonduduzo Zubuko on national radio on Monday. Zubuko made the announcement on behalf of His Majesty. Zubuko said the Umhlanga ceremony was supposed to be held on the 25th of August to 31st August 2020.
The ceremony is usually celebrated in two royal residences namely Eludzidzini and Mbangweni royal residences respectively.
The Umhlanga public holiday is to be announced. Zubuko added that Royalty will organize means of getting the reed to the royal residences as it is used to build royal huts.
The Umhlanga Reed Dance is a traditional dance and ceremony where up to about 40 000 Emaswati maidens gather and dance for the Queen Mother. This cultural event is performed as a tribute to the Royal Family and dates back centuries in time. Taking place over a week, normally the last in August, it is largely private, however it’s final two public days (normally a Sunday and Monday) are a spectacle that is unrivalled in Africa today. Thousands upon thousands of maidens dress up in brightly coloured attire and sing, dance together as they deliver the reed or umlanga to the Royal Residence. Their enjoyment of this ceremony is quite apparent as they use the opportunity of bonding with girls of similar ages from across the country.
The announcement came as the nation is faced with the rapidly growing numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases as over 3 500 cases have been confirmed with 70 deaths as of August 16.
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