eNyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa Nongoma northern KwaZulu-Natal was buzzing with beautiful Zulu virgin maidens at the weekend.
Nearly 50 000 Zulu maidens came to participate in the sacred ceremony called Umkhosi woMhlanga or Zulu Reed Dance.
Dressed in their beautiful traditional attire made out of colourful beads, bright short skirts and bare-breasted, the maidens were radiating happiness as they sang and danced.
Zulu Family spokesperson Prince Thulani Zulu describes the ceremony as a prayer.
Zulu Family spokesperson, Prince Thulani Zulu says uMkhosi Womhlanga is a sacred ceremony and a prayer to the Throne #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/buj1SBN5PE
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
The ceremony started with Princess Lwazi Zulu leading the maidens from the gates of eNyokeni Royal Palace to a field nearly a kilometer away to go collect umhlanga (reeds) that they would later present to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. They sang traditional songs and observed customary traditions that were not open to the public before stepping out.
Princess Lwazi Zulu leads the maidens in song to go collect umhlanga (Reed) #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/RCxHl17bDE
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
The walk down to collect the reeds was long but joyous and filled with excitement as the maidens danced and sang the entire way.
Maidens sing and dance as they make their way to collect umhlanga ahead of the annual uMkhosi Womhlanga. #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/TIYclNyFP9
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/pLRODlqvj8
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
WATCH: The annual #RoyalReedDance ceremony has officially started. The maidens have changed into their colourful attires, mostly beads before heading down to collect the reed. They will then walk up to the Royal Palace where they will deliver them. #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/2sf27ctRKY
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
Princess Zulu being the lead maiden was the first one to collect the reed and now had to make the long and gruesome journey up a hill back to the royal palace to present the reeds to the King.
Despite scorching temperatures and exhaustion, the maidens wouldn’t let anything dampen their mood as they continued to sing and be jovial along the way.
Princess Lwazi Zulu along with the maidens have collected their reeds and are now on their way to present it to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini #sabcnews #ReedDance pic.twitter.com/6CaEn3Onl0
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
WATCH: Some princesses from the royal house being accompanied by thousands of maidens as they ascend to the Royal Palace to handover the first of many reeds that will be delivered to the palace Today. #RoyalReedDance #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/zmehlO9k1R
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
WATCH: Some princesses from the royal house being accompanied by thousands of maidens as they ascend to the Royal Palace to handover the first of many reeds that will be delivered to the palace Today. #RoyalReedDance #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/zmehlO9k1R
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
The mood was different Inside the royal palace as Amabutho, known as Zulu regiments were singing traditional songs which give praise to King Misuzulu.
WATCH: Praise singers Bab’ Buzetsheni Mdletshe and Mqondisi Mkhize #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/uRwQgPgkAO
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
WATCH: The Zulu regiment, also known as Amabutho kaZulu gather and organise at the gate of Enyokeni Royal Palace as they prepare for the arrival of His Majesty, King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. #RoyalReedDance #UmkhosiWomhlanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/XvufdX24JU
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
And when the King finally emerged from the royal palace to receive the reeds from the maidens, loud cheers from the crowds could be heard. Women ululated.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has received the reeds from the maidens #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/mt8VjtF8H7
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini #ReedDance #sabcnews https://t.co/Qmogbax4MC pic.twitter.com/zGuWde9bHT
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
After presenting their reeds to King Misuzulu, the maidens gathered in a field nearby in eager anticipation for the King to deliver his speech.
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini will soon address the maidens #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/5OWBQ818Bb
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
Amazulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini arrives and accepts reeds presented to him:
When King Misuzulu took to the podium to address the maidens, roaring cheers accompanied by ululating could be heard from miles away.
Watch: The maidens cheer loudly when they see King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on the big screen #ReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/kbGDJmConx
— MaMthiyane (@skhangiwem) September 17, 2022
WATCH: An echo of cheers and applause as His Majesty, King Misuzulu is welcomed by scores of maidens to the auditorium. The king is set to give a keynote address to the young women. #UmkhosiWomhlanga #RoyalReedDance #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Pxw1domhdK
— Sandile Jeff Zikhali (@Bangibiza_uJeff) September 17, 2022
2022 AmaZulu Reed Dance-Umkhosi Womhlanga at Enyokeni palace
