Last week, thousands of Zulu maidens descended on the eMashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola to take part in Umkhosi woMhlanga, the Reed Dance, which is one of South Africa’s most sacred and striking ...

Swazi maidens deliver their reeds that they cut to the King Mswati III of Swaziland on Aug. 31. EPA/IHSAAN HAFFEJEE JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s annual Zulu Reed Dance ceremony was disrupted by ...

Zulu maidens under the KwaFodo Traditional Authority in the Gugwini area, outside Harding, are ready for the annual Umkhosi Womhlanga (Reed Dance) to be held in KwaNongoma on September 13 and 14.

Little wonder King Mswati III beams when he arrives – bare-chested, proudly carrying erect his golden ceremonial sword and surrounded by a bunch of beefy warriors armed with lethal-looking knobkerries ...

Young women, known locally in the KwaZulu-Natal province as "maidens", participate in a traditional "reed dance", an age-old annual ceremony in celebration of sexual purity and promotion of sexual ...

Thousands of maidens attended the ceremony. KwaZulu-Natal DA leader Francois Rodgers said the king's words showed that he is a responsible leader who cares for the safety of young girls. "He made it ...

Maidens sing as they proudly carry the ceremonial reed. Photo: Le2snaps. Singing, jubilation and traditional Zulu culture were on full display at the annual Reed Dance, held from September 12 to 14 at ...

The eThekwini Municipality has budgeted R900,000 for bus hire and accommodation for its officials to attend the Umkhosi woMlanga (Reed Dance) ceremony at the Mashobeni Palace in KwaZulu-Natal on ...

Police spokesman Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said the stampede was caused by “pushing and shoving” while the young women were walking up to the palace for the event which is attended by about ...