By Delisa Thwala
When throngs of Imbali arrived at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, they displayed a colourful display of cultural alignment, girlhood, and respect, marking the first session of Umhlanga 2024.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024, marked the first day of the biggest cultural event in the country. The excited Imbali gathered at the Royal Residence for registration.
At the time of compiling this report, over 10,000 Imbali had been registered; one of the officers helping with the registration process confirmed this.
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Throngs of Imbali entered Ludzidzini Royal Residence jovially singing “Sivulele Sesikhona Dlamini.”
They saluted upon arrival before Iimbali leaders, “siyimbali sichakazile sitayincoba iAIDS,” interpreted as We are Imbali, shining bright, we will conquer AIDS.
Meanwhile, Imbali overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli appreciated a gesture made by His Majesty King Mswati III to provide mobile showers. Mdluli added that since this was the first arrival, Imbali showed enthusiasm. He expected everyone to practise respect as it was a pillar of everything.
“The nation should also respect the regiments as they move towards Engabezweni Royal Residence and after commissioning.
Libutfo represents the King; anyone who disregards that and does anything to Kimball would have touched the King.
Consequences will not only fall upon the person but also their parents and chief,” Mdluli stated.
Imbali leader Nothando Mkhonta gave instructions on how the regiment should conduct themselves. She also informed them that the King had provided mobile showers.
“Keep the mobile showers clean even if you are on your period. You are expected to be ready to travel to Engabezweni by 6 am. Remember to sing what you have been taught in your royal kraals.”
“Only short tights are allowed underneath. Remain united as you move along the roads. it is very pertinent that you remain natural; no make-up and no weaves,” she said.
His Majesty King Mswati III has summoned Imbali for this year’s annual Reed Dance ceremony on August 16, 2024.
Conveying the King’s message at Ludzidzini Royal Residence Inkhosatana yeMbali, Princess Sakhizwe said the young girls will be commissioned to fetch the reed on August 28, 2024.
She said the reed would be cut on August 29, 2024, and brought back to Ludzidzini Royal Residence on August 30, 2024.
On August 31, 2024, she said the maidens would take a break in preparation for the delivery of the reed on September 1, 2024.
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She said the maidens will dance before Their Majesties and the entire world on September 2, 2024.
The King urged chiefs (tikhulu) to assign two women and four men to look after the maidens during the course of the event.
He warned chiefs against commissioning children, as they would not be able to travel long distances due to the scarcity of the reed.
The King also reminded men to sleep separately from women and Imbali during the course of the event. Princess Sakhizwe was flanked by Acting Minister of Home Affairs Jane Simelane, who declared September 2, 2024, a public holiday.
Simelane said the holiday is aimed at affording emaSwati the opportunity to support and cheer the girl child. She urged emaSwati to attend the event in numbers.
Also present were former tindvuna and Acting Imbali Overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli, Director of Culture and Traditional Affairs Prince Bukhosi and Lutsango.
The Reed Dance is one of the country’s prestigious events, where the girl child celebrates chastity before Their Majesties.
The event aims to encourage the girl child to preserve purity and focus on education until the allotted time for marriage.
Some parts of South Africa value the culture so much that girls are taken for virginity tests to qualify for the event, among other benefits.
The reed is used to build enclosures (emaguma) at royal residences across the country. Apart from Umhlanga, Eswatini uses Umcwasho as another way to encourage men to stay away from the girl child.
