MILLICENT HUNGWE
ESWATINI-The Reed Dance Festival, or Umhlanga, has roared to life in the heart of Eswatini, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The eight-day celebration of unity, purity, and cultural strength kicked off today, August 28, and will run until September 2, 2024, at the Ludzidzini Royal Village.
The Reed Dance Festival is deeply rooted in ancestral astrology, with its dates carefully chosen to align with the stars.
At the core of the festival is the presentation of reeds to the Queen Mother, a symbol of the girls’ and women’s unity and dedication to their culture.
Unmarried and childless Swazi girls and women, dressed in brightly colored attire, gather to cut and present reeds, showcasing their strength and solidarity.
The festival is a display of sights and sounds, with singing, dancing, and pageantry filling the air.
This year’s festival is expected to attract hordes of tourists who will celebrate and immerse themselves in Swazi traditions and culture.
In recognition of the festival’s significance, September 2 has been declared a public holiday in Eswatini.
Private schools, such as Ulembu and the Institute of Development Management College (IRDM), have written memos informing students and staff of the immediate closure from August 26 to September 2, with online classes continuing as normal.
