Halala! Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony 2022

Eswatini Daily News
By: Temanteni Bhembe

Amid the blazing September heat, maiden didn’t hold back from swaying the Eswatini biggest cultural event flag up so high in the past seven days. The Umhlanga Reed Dance festival hits it’s climax today as maidens dance in celebration in the eyes of the Royal house.

Umhlanga Reed Dance is a public holiday in the Kingdom. It is a day for EmaSwati to take the day off from the regular responsibilities of reporting for school and work as all roads lead to Lobamba where unmarried young women show off their cultural moves priding themselves on their purity.

The ceremony has been limited for two years due Covid 19 effects; however, the ceremony unfolded like it never left. The Nation will be left with full and soothed hearts as they get to experience the full adventure of Umhlanga this year.

Imbali expressed enthusiasm, ‘’ this year marks the tenth year of myself attending Umhlanga. It is neither an experience I will never deprive myself of nor my children,’’ said Lungile (19). She also mentioned that the threats flocking social media platforms made most maidens hold back, however after the Government assured the nation through security forces that they remain committed for protection and security services throughout the event putting her and other Imbali on a pedestal of ease while processing the decision of attending the seven-day long event.

Another Imbali said, “I feel like the event is short, the days need to be reviewed to make it a two-week long event giving us ample time to show love and support to our monarchy and culture at large.” After being transported by trucks to and fro cutting the reed in the past two years, the thrill must have blinded the girls from pronouncing the walking distance as a challenge as maidens expressed that covering the distance was no challenge, instead the exact full experience of being Imbali at Emhlangeni.