Traditional Zulu reed dance revived for first time since COVID

Record ID: 1687371

  • Title: Traditional Zulu reed dance revived for first time since COVID
  • Date: 3rd September 2022
  • Summary: ***WARNING: CONTAINS NUDITY*** VARIOUS OF WOMEN DANCING AND SINGING
  • Embargoed: 17th September 2022 17:47
  • Keywords: King Goodwill Zwelithini King Misuzulu kaZwelithini Reed Dance Zulu Maidens reed dance festival
  • Location: EMACHOBENI, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City: EMACHOBENI, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Africa,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA002256403092022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS NUDITY
    Thousands attended the first reed dance festival since the COVID epidemic in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday (September 3), following the coronation of newly crowned King Misuzulu kaZwelithini last month.
    Female dancers, took part in the ceremony, holding reeds aloft, during the festival.
    The Zulu royal family hosted the event which involved singing, dancing and speeches.
    The reed dance, a 19th century practice which sees thousands of bare-breasted maidens dance in front of the king to celebrate their beauty and virginity in the KwaZulu-Natal province, was revived by late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in 1984.
    Facing criticism, Zwelithini defended his decision by saying it helped stem pre-marital sex and the spread of AIDS.
    Traditionally, all the girls taking part in the ceremony, must also undergo a virginity test.
    However, South Africa passed a law in July 2007 forbidding virginity testing on girls under the age of 16, and only allowed it conditionally for those over 16.
    The reeds carried by the girls during the ceremony were used in ancient times to rebuild the fence around the royal kraal or homestead.
    The Zulu believe any reed that breaks on the way to the king is proof that the girl carrying it was not a virgin.
    (Production Siyabonga Sishi, Toyin Amusan, Jacqueline Clyne)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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