MATSAPHA: Record breaking numbers of maidens braved chilly temperatures to show up and dance at the Shiselweni Umhlanga Reed dance at the Mbangweni Royal Residence near Nhlangano in September. Two weeks earlier, even maidens from the rest of the country had thronged at Ludzidzini for the national reed dance.
While most of these maidens participating in this rite of passage come from the rural areas predominantly under the control of traditional leaders, increasingly, many are independent, educated professional women who strongly identify with a tradition they regard as close to their hearts.
Meet Siphosethu Ginindza, known as Claudia, from Eteni near Mbhuleni in Kwaluseni near Matsapha. At 24, she is nearing the cutoff age for participating in the dance of the maidens.
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In her working life, Claudia is a relationship manager who works remotely. She says her career is strongly aligned with both her professional strengths and her personal values as she excels in client-centric roles, leveraging her strong interpersonal skills. She enjoys the flexibility of her job.
But beyond her professional life, Claudia is deeply connected to her cultural roots, and like most maidens, every year her ear is primed to respond to the call to come out and join tens of thousands of other maidens in the march to cut the reeds and participate in the ceremonial dances that follow. She joined the 2024 Umhlanga ceremony one of Eswatini’s most cherished traditions. This annual rite has been a significant part of Claudia’s life from childhood.
The majority of maidens at the Umhlanga ceremony range from 10 to 26 when they are due to marry. Claudia is now in the cohort of veteran leaders of the ceremony who are approaching the upper limits for eligibility of a ceremony that emphasizes youth and vitality.
She views the Reed Dance as a vital reminder of Eswatini’s unique cultural identity. It instills virtues like purity, respect, and confidence in young women, encouraging them to embrace their beauty and self-worth.“It’s a perfect reminder for young girls to be confident in who they are and also remember to carry themselves with respect as they are beautiful,” she says.
cm/jm/today/12.10.2024
