This past weekend was Swaziland's famous Umhlanga (or Reed) Ceremony. Girls, from ages 7 or so, to young women in their early 20s, come to the royal palace (which is actually a kraal, which we'll talk about later) to dance and sing for King Mswati and the Queen Mother.The girls bring reeds, which they have cut from rivers or marshes around the country. These reeds are intended for the rebuilding of the Queen's kraal.
The opportunity to dance and sing in traditional clothing, and to be with so many other Swazis, draws girls from
each corner of this small country.The second image shows Swazi man in traditional clothing. They are marching down the street with King Mswati, singing songs to him and their country. You can see the young boys in front, learning how to participate in Swazi ceremonial life.
In the top picture you can see two women dressed in dark blue -- they are almost like "wardens" keeping the girls in their lines and making sure everything is going according to plan. The girls come with others from their villages, and practice their "routines." Many of the girls are staying through
week because another celebration is coming up: 40/40, which I'll tell you about in another post.
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