Thursday, August 22, 2019

Swaziland/Eswatini: Umhlanga Ceremony prequels

It is almost that time of the year for Umhlanga and Reed Dance's festivities to begin in the Kingdom and earlier this week His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntfombi commissioned both the warriors and maidens regiments for a week of pre festivities activities in preparation of the Umhlanga and Reed Dance happening next week between August 27th and September 2nd.

On August 20th, His Majesty commissioned the warriors(male) regiments for this year’s Butimba (hunting expedition), with dozens of members of various regiments setting out to Hlane Royal National Park where the expedition will be held.

During the last few day there were summons for emabutfo from all four regions to converge at Tihoncweni, before the regiments heeded the summons and were commissioned in its element on August 20th, at Ngabezweni Royal Residence as early as 10am where they jubilantly joined in songs, as they waited for His Majesty’s arrival.

They came to the expedition as a whole as they carried their knobkerries, spears and firearms.

His Majesty the King through Umbutfo Qomentanyeni Magagula, ordered the regiments to begin the expedition where they will be based and sleep over at Malindza under Chief Ndlondlo Tsabedze.

The King said today the regiments will then proceed to Hlane Royal National Park where upon they will be expected to register their firearms before the start of the expedition. They were warned that they should make sure that  they register their firearms before the expedition and those who will fail to register theirs will not be allowed to use them during the hunt.

There was a lovely spectacle as His Majesty joined the libutfo in song and dance of traditional hunting songs. His Majesty was joined by the senior princes, his children the princes, male members of the royal family, and members of government.

One of the songs that were sung by the King and the regiments was Inyamazane Sayihlaba, which set the tone for the day.

The Hunt happens during the last week of August, and is a significant cultural event which precedes the Umhlanga Ceremony. 

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