After the long week of Butimba that prequels the Umhlanga Reed Dance which ended on August 26th, The official cultural dance began the next day.
The Imbali regiments came to officially register themselves before being commissioned by His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntformbi. About 100K young Swati ladies age vary from around the kingdom were accounted for when they arrived at Ludzidzini Royal Residence(Queen Mother's official residence) happily singing “Lomabandza yiNgcwenyama, asinandzaba sitawufela eNkosini”.
The regiments were welcome by National leader of imbali regiment Nonduduzo Kunene and Imbali leader Nothando Mkhonta as well as the princesses Temaswati, Sibahle, Sakhziwe, Nkhosiyenzile and others.
They then left Ludzidzini for Ngabezweni Royal Residence(His Majesty's royal village from there they heard the commissioning message sent by His Majesty to cut their reeds at Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe. His Majesty also provided necessary items to make sure that everyone will be comfortable during this week.
The Imbali led by the leaders and the Royal Princesses then marched out of Ngabezweni in traditional chants and dance(Kutsamba) enroute to cut their reeds. The regiment is protected by the Eswatini Royal Police. They dance throughout the night and sleep onside.
His Majesty met with the regiments in the evening of their first day
Here is a schedule of how the Reed Dance takes place:
Day One
The Imbali arrive in groups from of 200 from chiefdoms and meet at the Ludzidzini, Queen Mother’s royal village. From there they are registered for security. In the evening they sleep in huts of relatives in the village or in classrooms of nearby schools.
Day Two
In the morning they are separated into two groups, the older (about 14 to 25 years) and the younger (about 8 to 13 years). In the afternoon, they will march to Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe with their supervisors. The older girls often march about 30 kilometres, while the younger girls march about ten kilometres. Government provides assitance like trucks for their transport.
Day Three
The reeds are cuts, usually about ten to twenty, using long knives. Each girl ties her reeds into a bundle.
Day Four
In the afternoon, they march back to the Queen Mother’s village, carrying their bundles of reeds. Again they return at night. This is done “to show they traveled a long way.”
Day Five
It is their resting day. Throughout this day the girls make final preparations to their hair, dancing costumes and different songs and dances. The day is also fill with dances, chants and a little party
Day Six
First day of dancing they drop their reeds outside the Queen Mother’s quarters. They move to the arena and dance, keeping their groups and each group singing different songs at the same time. This takes about 2 hours and is done in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother as well as the Queen Consorts
Day Seven
His Majesty the King arrives and the regiments both Warriors and Imbali present their dances. The royal princes and princesses also present their dances. Sometimes the King, Queen Consorts join in.
Day Eight
King commands that dozens of cattle (perhaps 20 -25) be slaughtered and share amongst the girls before they are transported back home
The Imbali regiments came to officially register themselves before being commissioned by His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty Ndlovukati Ntformbi. About 100K young Swati ladies age vary from around the kingdom were accounted for when they arrived at Ludzidzini Royal Residence(Queen Mother's official residence) happily singing “Lomabandza yiNgcwenyama, asinandzaba sitawufela eNkosini”.
The regiments were welcome by National leader of imbali regiment Nonduduzo Kunene and Imbali leader Nothando Mkhonta as well as the princesses Temaswati, Sibahle, Sakhziwe, Nkhosiyenzile and others.
They then left Ludzidzini for Ngabezweni Royal Residence(His Majesty's royal village from there they heard the commissioning message sent by His Majesty to cut their reeds at Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe. His Majesty also provided necessary items to make sure that everyone will be comfortable during this week.
The Imbali led by the leaders and the Royal Princesses then marched out of Ngabezweni in traditional chants and dance(Kutsamba) enroute to cut their reeds. The regiment is protected by the Eswatini Royal Police. They dance throughout the night and sleep onside.
His Majesty met with the regiments in the evening of their first day
Here is a schedule of how the Reed Dance takes place:
Day One
The Imbali arrive in groups from of 200 from chiefdoms and meet at the Ludzidzini, Queen Mother’s royal village. From there they are registered for security. In the evening they sleep in huts of relatives in the village or in classrooms of nearby schools.
Day Two
In the morning they are separated into two groups, the older (about 14 to 25 years) and the younger (about 8 to 13 years). In the afternoon, they will march to Mphisi Farm and KaBhamsakhe with their supervisors. The older girls often march about 30 kilometres, while the younger girls march about ten kilometres. Government provides assitance like trucks for their transport.
Day Three
The reeds are cuts, usually about ten to twenty, using long knives. Each girl ties her reeds into a bundle.
Day Four
In the afternoon, they march back to the Queen Mother’s village, carrying their bundles of reeds. Again they return at night. This is done “to show they traveled a long way.”
Day Five
It is their resting day. Throughout this day the girls make final preparations to their hair, dancing costumes and different songs and dances. The day is also fill with dances, chants and a little party
Day Six
First day of dancing they drop their reeds outside the Queen Mother’s quarters. They move to the arena and dance, keeping their groups and each group singing different songs at the same time. This takes about 2 hours and is done in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother as well as the Queen Consorts
Day Seven
His Majesty the King arrives and the regiments both Warriors and Imbali present their dances. The royal princes and princesses also present their dances. Sometimes the King, Queen Consorts join in.
Day Eight
King commands that dozens of cattle (perhaps 20 -25) be slaughtered and share amongst the girls before they are transported back home