THE ZULU
REED CEREMONY
September
is the month when the Zulu nation gathers at the eNyokeni Royla Residence at
Nongoma, the traditional palace of the reigning Zulu, King Goodwill Zwelithini
kaBhekuzulu. To celebrate the reed a sacred plant that the Zulu believe gave
birth to humankind. The ceremony is not only to celebrate the reed but also to
revive the spirit of the Zulu people.
King
Goodwill revived the ceremony as a way of reducing teenage pregnancy and HIV
infections. The young woman that take part in the ceremony are all virgins and
is a celebration of virginity. Taking reeds to the palace they sing and dance
for their king, as proud virgins. Their songs are abiut their kings, their
beautiful bodies and their breasts.
Maidens are
refferred to as izimbali zesizwe (flowers of the nation)
Dressed in
tradition zulu regalia and bearing the plumes of Knyzna or Purple crested
Turaco on their heads of a sign of royalty. Colourful tassels hang from
theirvwaists and colourful cloths adorn their upper arms.
The kings
daughters are the first to pick up reeds. The leading princesses are
identiified by wearing the inflated gall bladder of a beast specially
slaughtered for the occassion. This is tied to her hair and hangs at the back
of her head. She walks in the front followed by her sisters and then the rest
of the maidens.
The king
waits for them at thenear the fence of the cattle kraal the princess kneels
before the king, he kisses her and accepts the reed. He breaks the reed and
replaces it against the fence. The elders help the rest of the maidens stack
their reeds against the fence of the kraal. Then they go down to a sacred arena
where they wait for the king to come and address them, nobody but the maidens
are allowed in the arena.
The king
clad in his ceremonial regalia carrying a shield and razor sharp battle axe.
Everybody rises and hails the king "Wena wendlovu Bayede" The king
addresses the audience and visitors and then it is time to dance. I am not a
maiden, but I am a Zulu.
Extract
taken from KwaZulu-Natal Tourism
Www.kzn.org.za
No comments:
Post a Comment