His Majesty King Mswati III has officially summoned maidens from across the Kingdom to gather for the 2026 Umhlanga Reed Dance.
The annual ceremony, which celebrates Swati culture and heritage while bringing together tens of thousands of unmarried girls from across the country, will culminate in the official Reed Dance on August 31, 2026, a day that has also been declared a national public holiday.
The royal proclamation was delivered through Indvuna yeMbali (Overseer of the Maidens), Bongiwe “Vivane” Hlatjwako, 
who announced the official Umhlanga programme on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III and called upon chiefs throughout the Kingdom to begin preparations immediately.
In keeping with Swati tradition, chiefs from every chiefdom have been instructed to prepare and release eligible unmarried girls to participate in this year’s ceremony, with registration scheduled to take place at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
Speaking during the announcement, Hlatjwako outlined the official programme that will guide this year’s celebrations.
Registration of the maidens will be conducted on August 25, 2026, at Ludzidzini Royal Residence before participants begin the various cultural activities associated with the annual ceremony.
According to the programme, maidens will leave Ludzidzini on August 26, before proceeding to cut reeds on August 27.
The groups are expected to return from the reed-cutting exercise on August 28, while August 29 has been designated as a rest day.
The presentation of the reeds to the Queen Mother will take place on August 30, before the highly anticipated official Umhlanga Reed Dance on August 31,
when thousands of maidens will perform before His Majesty King Mswati III and the nation.
Hlatjwako said chiefs have also been directed to appoint escorts who will accompany the maidens throughout the duration of the ceremony.
Each chiefdom has been instructed to send four men and two women to travel alongside the maidens.
She explained that the purpose of the escorts is to ensure the welfare, safety and wellbeing of participants throughout the event.
According to Hlatjwako, should a maiden become ill during the ceremony,
two of the designated male escorts will immediately report the matter to the responsible authorities while also notifying the girl’s parents or guardians, particularly in situations where hospital treatment may be required.
She urged chiefs to ensure that the selected escorts fully understand their responsibilities and remain attentive throughout the duration of the event.
The Indvuna yeMbali also appealed to chiefs to counsel everyone travelling to the ceremony about maintaining discipline and proper conduct.
She stressed that all participants should conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the dignity and values associated with Umhlanga.
Hlatjwako further announced that accommodation arrangements will continue to ensure that men and girls sleep separately during the ceremony.
She also advised chiefs against selecting very young girls to participate in Umhlanga.
According to Hlatjwako, some chiefdoms travel long distances to reach areas where suitable reeds are available, making the journey physically demanding for younger children.
She therefore encouraged community leaders to carefully consider the age and physical ability of participants before selecting them for this year’s ceremony.
All chiefdoms have been instructed to ensure that their groups report to Ludzidzini Royal Residence for registration on August 25.
