In Eswatini, a beautiful display of tradition unfolded as hundreds of young women and girls, adorned in colorful skirts and necklaces, danced before King Mswati III. This event is a centuries-old ceremony in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
The day began with these young women, often referred to as maidens, marching to the royal residence in Mbangweni, located in the southern part of the country. This march is part of the traditional Umhlanga or Reed Dance, a rite of passage celebrating virginity and the transition to adulthood.
As a symbol of their respect, these maidens offered newly cut reeds to the Queen Mother. These reeds would be used as windbreaks to protect her residence. Following this, the procession moved to a nearby stadium.
One of the participants, a young woman named Jasmine, expressed her happiness about being a maiden, saying, “I am happy; it means a lot to me to be a maiden.” She hails from the city of Manzini.
Inside the stadium, the girls chanted and danced as they paraded before the 55-year-old king. King Mswati III arrived surrounded by “Amabutho,” traditional Swati warriors, and sat next to his mother on a throne placed on a stage. Some of the participants brandished tin swords, while others waved the Eswatini flags.
Wearing traditional attire, King Mswati, who holds absolute power in the small country, later walked onto the pitch and made a small bow before the women as a sign of respect.
While a larger, national version of the Umhlanga took place in September in the city of Lobamba, the Mbangweni Reed Dance holds special significance. King Mswati III, who has been ruling Eswatini since 1986, has the right to choose a new wife from among the dancers at this event.
The king, known as “Ngwenyama” or “the lion” in SiSwati, currently has 15 wives, some of whom he married when they were minors, and at least 25 children.
Despite the pageantry of the Reed Dance, King Mswati III has faced criticism for his lavish lifestyle, while a significant portion of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day.
