… Government still to announce dates
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Even though the second phase of this year’s annual reed dance ceremony is yet to be announced Imbali is already geared up for the day.
Social media has been abuzz with speculations on when the day is.
“Am I the only one looking forward to the Shiselweni reed dance?,” wrote one facebook user yesterday.
To which another replied “ Can they announce the dates so we fully prepare, I cannot wait to be with all the beautiful girls again,” said another.
Other social media users like the ones above spoke in anticipation for the event. While others saw business opportunities and said, this year was for making ‘big money’
“ We have to milk every opportunity we get because people are coming all out for the events since COVID-19 is not a threat. Asambeni siyodayisa,” said another.
Meanwhile the second leg of this year’s Annual Reed Dance Ceremony is yet to be announced.
This was said by the Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Malandvo Dlamini.
Dlamini stated that procedurally, dates for cultural events, which fell under the Ministry of Home Affairs, were issued by the authorities (Labadzala) before they were announced to the public.
He said it was for that reason that some dates remained unknown until they were announced by the authorities.
“There have been no dates for the second leg of the Reed Dance from the authorities. The ministry will notify the public once the authorities issue the date,” he said.
cultural events remained unknown until they were released by the authorities.
The second leg of the Reed Dance is held at Mbangweni Royal Residence in the Shiselweni Region after the first leg, which is held at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
Maidens from across government agencies including the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), and Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) will be also proudly represented and are always a force to be reckoned with as they dance uniformly displaying their skills to different songs.
As per custom, His Majesty the King joins in the activity, doing the giya dance and kudlalisela before the different maidens. His Majesty moves around the throngs of maidens who dance and sing.
There are usually maidens from Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga provinces where some of Emaswati chiefs have royal kraals.
Some came from Johannesburg, Standerton, Ermelo, Volkrust, Glenmore, Pongola, Dumbe, Enkhaba, lendzala and Mjindini.
Emakhosikati also take time from different occasions to go to the arena to appreciate Emazinyane who are showing off their skills and maturity in the dancing of traditional songs
Leading the Imbali Princess Sakhizwe at different intervals entertains the gathering dancing to different songs.
