Swazi Reed Dance Photo Gallery by Tessa Joughin at pbase.com

Swazi Reed Dance

In 2004 I was in Swaziland to photograph Coral Stevens handweaving and had the wonderful opportunity to see the Reed Dance or "Umhlanga" which takes place in the spring every year.Young childless unmarried maidens from all over the Kingdom cut reeds with long knives and then gather and present them to the Queen Mother and dance, colourfully dressed and bare breasted. The ceremony lasts eight days with the King only attending the last day's ceremony.The girls wear coloured tassels and woollen streamers denoting whether they are betrothed or not.The Princesses wear red feathers in their hair.( http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/swaziculture3.html )The Swazis are a proud, wonderfully friendly nation and Swaziland is a beautiful country to visit.

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2272 - 029.jpg	Swazi Princesses	2272 - 031.jpg	2272 - 032.jpg	2272 - 035.jpg	Miss Teen Swaziland Finalists
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2272 - 062.jpg	20,000 Young Maidens dancing for the King	2272 - 065.jpg	2272 - 066.jpg	2272 - 068.jpg	2272 - 072.jpg
2272 - 101.jpg	2272 - 091.jpg	A day out for everyone.jpg	2271 - 059.jpg	The Royal Stand and Bodyguards	2272 - 024.jpg

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elias siphelele mashwama		28-Sep-2016 06:40
There's nothing more important than knowing your roots I am proudly swati and @ work they always called me mnaketfu and I well represent swazi nation as we are known by respect and humbliness and I'm sure we all do the same where we working as swazis to represent our one and only hismajesty king Mswati 111 as we are united under his rule both in south africa and swaziland our king is one.

Sphokazi sosibo		06-Aug-2016 15:24
Im Sphokazi Sosibo im proud to bieng an african and the eldars always tell us that we are coming at Swaziland i like the way we dress in Swaziland

Eddie T. Sikhondze		11-Sep-2015 10:59
I'm very proud of the Swazi cultures and I will die a Swazi!

Guest		01-Sep-2015 22:47
Indeed this peoples have showed that they are true africans. They respect their culture and their identity. honestly speaking am proud of them.congrat my lovely people. please "human right" is the cos of the problem we are facing in this world. stay blessed africans

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Steve Jacobs		25-May-2015 17:26
I Love Swazi ppl and I love their cultures. They're simply the best. Pls don't change it. let's keep the African culture. I'm from Nigeria with much love for Swazis

Titan Banks		27-Dec-2014 05:21
This Is Awonderfull Swazi Tribe I Wish We Had Hear In Uganda

kwasi		16-Oct-2014 01:07
l like this culture. very interesting.

elias siphelele mashwama		12-Aug-2014 01:02
My name is Elias Siphelele Mashwama born in South Africa but a true swazi born from both swazi parent. I love my king Mswati 3 cos he is so proud of being swazi my wish is this when I die buried in swaziland even though was not born there but I'm proudly swazi

Nana		05-Jun-2014 14:12
I need an invitation to witness this rich culture of Swazis, need help to get there.

LULANE		07-Dec-2013 10:27
I LOVE MY SWAZI CULTURE COZ IT TEACHES ME A LOT

Longing man		20-May-2013 18:23
This lass on da left, did she skip th King's eyes or she is of Royal descent? Really smashingly pretty! She still a virgin at that?

guest		18-Jan-2013 19:45
what about whites who promote man to man mariage? who is more stupid than we africans who practice natural cultures like this one!

franc, guest		20-Oct-2012 13:49
God, if there is one created women to be beautiful to the male. But in the west we hide all the beauty,because we have been brain washed by religions, so that we are ashamed of having a beautiful female body and ashamed to look at them. Good on you Swazi's. Keep your traditions safely. Any women who thinks that these lovely happy girls are disgusting, is obviously a fat, droopy titted, slovenly, jealous caucasion and God knows that is most of you and men who say the same are just liars.

Matang Bole		19-Sep-2012 15:14
Extremely good to see Africans still practicing their culture despite all the... I think most negative comments here are just due to jealousy. I am an african and have been living in europe for so many years. I honestly think many especially europeans can not copy your tradition - most of them are very fat and not attractive when naked (men and women) blame it on fast food etc. Since they can't copy, they will hate it. Other africans hidding behind their religions to critize the Swazi should tell me how Adam and Eve looked like.

Nonhlanhla Mthombeni		18-Sep-2012 15:25
To all of the ("we know it all") westeners who are so ignorant and have nothing positive to say; all of the nudity is not viewed in a twisted sexual perverted way by our swazi and zulu men. I'm 21 and I've been participating in the reed dance for the past 5yrs, I am proud!!!!!! If anyone of you have any questions then you can ask me 1st hand: np.mthombeni@gmail.com I will answer any question. Let's stop ignorance, just because it isn't a western practice dosent make it ludachris

Guest		17-Sep-2012 18:39
omg dos babes are xo i wish every african contry culd hav such show

Guest		10-Sep-2012 00:32
I like Africa!

prelecia Dlamini		07-Sep-2012 14:10
i find it so annoying to hear people criticizing oyher cultures. who are you to judge? i may adopt the zulu culture but my true culture is Swazi. well done to the girls who still remember to pactrice their culture, by doing the "reed dance". i just love the way you wear it just represent the love that we got. and as for those who doesn't have anything to say it wise to just zip up your mouth.

Ș�� Ș��		24-Jun-2012 14:25
Îیáی ÚÇáی ÈæÏ ÒäåÇ æ ÏÎÊÑåÇی ÇÝÑیÞÇیی ÓÊæä åÇی ÚÇáیی ÏÇÑäÏ.

Ș�� Ș��		24-Jun-2012 14:25
Îیáی ÚÇáی ÈæÏ ÒäåÇ æ ÏÎÊÑåÇی ÇÝÑیÞÇیی ÓÊæä åÇی ÚÇáیی ÏÇÑäÏ.

Ș�� Ș��		24-Jun-2012 14:23
Îیáی ÚÇáی ÈæÏ ÒäåÇ æ ÏÎÊÑåÇی ÇÝÑیÞÇیی ÓÊæä åÇی ÚÇáیی ÏÇÑäÏ.

Citi-life		28-May-2012 09:38
GOD created us in different geographical locations and becaus of that we have different cultural beliefs. if you have a problem with what other cultures are practicing then you have a problem caus it really doesnt concern of affect you in any way. this is one of the reasons why we have racial tenssions caus other people have a problem with accepting the other cultures. my question is one: who said which culture is right and which is wrong and what if when you die and wherever you go you find that you were wrong all along? if you have a problem with African cultures then why dont you stay in europe and not look what Africans are doing caus im sure you will live a better life that way.

Blessing malope		20-May-2012 18:57
Swazis are very friendly people and i can attest to that,even though i've never been to swaziland but i'm willing to visit one day,especially to witness the reed dance,,,bravo swaziland.

stesh		17-May-2012 13:35
We swazis are proud of who we are and this shows that we still have our identnty, I also wonder what nationality is GUEST, from what I read I can sureley say you do not even respect the english language looking at you comment so it means you do not have respect for anything even yourself. I wonder if yuo know your own nationality We swazis do and we have the pictures to prove . Lastly, check out the meaning of naked then talk. You do not know where you come from or where you are going. learn English first then maybe learn respect and culture lastly.

Casual observer		01-May-2012 22:47
The Zulus have the exact same thing so what makes it so unique to Swaziland?

Guest		21-Apr-2012 10:24
Don't dis swaziland pple practice any religion at all, coz I dnt get all dis bullshit abt continiung a useless n meaningless tradition dat reqiures grown up girls to walk around naked. Dis shear practice of immorality and those guys who said dat any man who gets aroused by watching d girls is a pavert must b fools and will b liars if they claim dat they don't get aroused watching those naked grown ass women unless of course all d men in d country are gay which I doubt.

Kimberly		13-Apr-2012 02:50
I have enjoyed learning about the culture and peopl of Swaziland. It is rich with tradition and beauty. It is great to see a land in Africa, not depicted as barren and in desolation. May you continue to prosper as God leads you. Your American, sister/

Sims Dlamini		29-Mar-2012 11:53
Mine ngilitjitji phaca!!! lol....... We're hare today because of His amazing...amazing grace. Jesus

yayo		07-Mar-2012 21:54
GREAT WORK SWAZILAND,RISE AFRICA RISE!! #PROUDLY SWAZI

kaka		10-Feb-2012 16:09
i want to marry some one from swazi, am serious, please tell me when the festival is and how its been done

Ayo Ayins		05-Feb-2012 22:29
9ICE PLANET IN THE WORLD .I WE LIKE 2 SEE THE REED DANCE IN NEXT FESTIVAL ,BY THE GRACE OF GOD .I WANT 2 SEE THE WONDERFUL KINGDOM .NICE SWAZILAND I LOVE THE COUNTRY ,GOD BLESSED SWAZILAND .

Musa Sibandze		31-Jan-2012 12:14
We love our reed dance. for those with appreciative comments. Thanks. for those who dissaprove... how arrogant to think we... the Swazi people care. We do not do it for you, but for ourselves.

michael		27-Jan-2012 23:18
I am a swazi and a diciplined man.I am currently 30years of age but my father only know two woman that I brought home since I started dating.If you had a culture you could post a comment but then it woyld be very useless for me waiste my time talking to lost people.Most people read the bible and got convinced but they know nothing about the writers ot the origin and authenticity. In African culture not American culture, a king my take wifes so that the next king maybe protected on identity and accessination.A king can not have siblings on his mother's side but if you have no clue on first what is the Umhlanga ceremony then I suggest you keep quit.It is American and European culture to take african resources and preserve the little they have but we don't complain.The bible itself discriminate against woman as no woman must preach but we put woman first.The most important ansester is the grandmother and no african ceremony can begin without a woman.If I were to talk about african culture, I would talk for too long but all I can say is long leave Swazi culture and don not be discuraged by people who are lost because they want you to be in the dark like them Light is faster than sound only until you truely hear the empty sound coming from people who are lost.I thank you

evans kiprono		20-Jan-2012 11:14
swaziland,you have the most beautifull land enriched with diverse beautifull women,i tend to belive that swazi has the most brave men and the most beautiful women in the world,i just wish i could atend one in future,

judah		07-Jan-2012 15:26
i have gone through most comments on this site and cannot help but wonder at the misconceptions of various westerners en those who choose to be them.unlike them(he holy ones),the people of swaziland celebrate their purity en innocence.they don care wat the world says,coz they know they are right.unlike most of us who view breasts as sexual objects,to them its the source of life,need not be hidden coz its a natural creation.ask their men,they do not stand to view a boob or a bum wen it passes,coz they are not perverts.long live the african culture.en if u go there with evil desures,feel ashamed of uaself.

Kwesi Gyan		23-Nov-2011 12:41
Culture is good to maintain so they say. One of the cultural practices by the Asantes in Ghana was to bury alive some guards to serve the King when he dies, and also to behead a number of men to use their heads to carry the coffin of the dead king in the grave. Other part in the Arab lands a thief is amputated of the arm used to steal (I guess because those authorities have never sinned before) and a lot I cannot recount. If the argument here is to preserve culture ( in blanket form), then I beg to differ. Proponents of cultural practices are not faultless and obviously did not get it right all the time. Some of the practices were selfishly or evilly motivated and we must evaluate them carefully to keep only those which are morally sound and productive to our society. Others that are inimical to societal norms should be abhorred and stopped completely. I am not in favor of exposure to any form of sexual harassment. This could endanger the security of those innocent dancers. God bless Africa

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:46
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:45
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Umar Farooq		11-Nov-2011 06:45
bare gandy log ho kapry ni lagani wasty kya ,,

Guest		09-Nov-2011 17:42
Sorry that was the 07th of September not the 11th of September

Guest		09-Nov-2011 17:41
I am disappointed in the comment made by the guest who wrote on the 11September 2011 at 11, the whole point of retaining culture is practicing it as it was done generations before. Perhaps your comments about their nudity are based on a lack of understanding the diversity in cultures around the world! This is a celebration of purity, pride in your culture and the fact that people even the young generation still embrace the past. Believe me there are many cultural aspects within the country that are slowly dying out due to globalisation but your comments do little to encourage diversity in this world and an open-minded perspective. Swaziland is a beautiful country with people that are very friendly and welcoming, great photos

Peter Machache		20-Oct-2011 13:34
Preserving cultural heritage is is quite good but the way are still doing it is somewhat unethical, "nakedness." This is a wrong era for that King Mswati, theres is need to reform because each cultural practice we do should have morals embodied therein.

Kenneth		27-Sep-2011 13:25
this is invation of piple's privacy

Guest		07-Sep-2011 11:00
it is my hope that this culture will be improved slightly in the days to come; they can participate in the reed dance but at least cover their private parts and booms. The King also need not be polygamous in this day and age.

Nana		02-Sep-2011 19:21
In fact, Swazi people, you have nice rich colourful culture. i wish I had the chance to witness this festival for once.

Dr mashola		31-Aug-2011 08:49
Really; i wish i was swati...the best culture ever...does anyone here chose wife or king only?

Zeus		17-Aug-2011 22:49
true it is that Africa never gets it right most of the times, well ofcourse what do u expect when we are always trying to copy the west. But when it comes being Africans, we love who we are. This is a display of african traditional identity and a stand for sexual morality because dis festival celebrates virginity. for u western idiots who open ur stinky gutters to utter rots, compare this with some of ur movies case-in-point...'18 yr old virgin' where u people unashamedly displayed ur stand for sexual immoralities by expressing in drama that it is out of fashion to be a virgin at 18. In my African, women in their 20s & 30s still get married as virgins and a lot of them are well educated. Long live Africa, i wouldn't trade u for any other continent. Swahili peeps, in my next life, i'd love to be from ur kingdom. I celebrate with u. Pls, someone shud let me know when the next festival is to take place abeg!

Wadzie		04-Jul-2011 09:33
Africa at its best, this is a people, original and down to earth. They have a culture, an identity with ubuntu. The West is void of ubuntu. Africa must learn from the Swazi pple to maintain their cultures and africa must fight ttogether to preserve such rich culture. Keep up Swazis with the good work.

Prince Adeyemi Alatishe		23-Jun-2011 05:37
nice culture i will like to be there in the next festival what is the date of the next fest if period

effildIncitle		11-Jun-2011 12:30
Very Interesting Information! Thank You For Thi Post!

george kizokwa		01-Jun-2011 14:18
I LIKE THE DANCE IT SHOWS US OUR CULTURE KEEP IT UP

Guest		30-May-2011 07:49
I am just appalled by some of the comments on this site. Both the disrespectful sexual and racist ones and some of the crackpot religious and so-called moral stuff. I came to this because I was looking for pictures of dancers for a project and what I have found is groups of sweet young girls and beautiful sophisticated young women celebrating their culture and generally enjoying themselves. So what if the girls show the odd breast? It's not as if there is anything to be ashamed of in their bodies and they are celebrating their beauty in an innocent and joyful way. They are not the ones with a problem.

dolly		25-May-2011 21:11
monkeys that's a strange analogy-who are u starved monkey

FOKIN YGIRLS		22-May-2011 02:07
All racist nothings who call Africans monkeys are usually just that, monkeys. They have in their lives amounted to zilch, have had basic education and are most unlikely to succeed in anything. Not even satisfying their wives or girlfrriends in bed. We monkeys do that bit for them exceptionally well for them, ask your piggy skinned bitches! We monkeys are well endowerd. We fuck them very hard and they cum numerous times. Monkey Power !

FOKIN YGIRLS		22-May-2011 02:07
All racist nothings who call Africans monkeys are usually just that, monkeys. They have in their lives amounted to zilch, have had basic education and are most unlikely to succeed in anything. Not even satisfying their wives or girlfrriends in bed. We monkeys do that bit for them exceptionally well for them, ask your piggy skinned bitches! We monkeys are well endowerd. We fuck them very hard and they cum numerous times. Monkey Power !

FOKIN YGIRLS		22-May-2011 02:06
All racist nothings who call Africans monkeys are usually just that, monkeys. They have in their lives amounted to zilch, have had basic education and are most unlikely to succeed in anything. Not even satisfying their wives or girlfrriends in bed. We monkeys do that bit for them exceptionally well for them, ask your piggy skinned bitches! We monkeys are well endowerd. We fuck them very hard and they cum numerous times. Monkey Power !

FOKIN YGIRLS		22-May-2011 01:35
All racist nothings who call Africans monkeys are usually just that, monkeys. They have in their lives amounted to zilch, have had basic education and are most unlikely to succeed in anything. Not even satisfying their wives or girlfrriends in bed. We monkeys do that bit for them exceptionally well for them, ask your piggy skinned bitches! We monkeys are well endowerd. We fuck them very hard and they cum numerous times. Monkey Power !

honest bystander		15-May-2011 14:54
Tradition or whateva bullshyt u cal it, its stil your females parading their sexual assets for men around the world to jerk off to as it has been the norm since we discovered fire, keep living and priding yourselves in the jungle era mentality like the monkeys you are...

Clarity		06-May-2011 17:45
having stayed in Swaziland for Sometime enriched me with the ability of appreciating the Reed dance for its values in upkeeping the morality of Swazi girls on the Sense that they will want to enjoy the freedom of being alone with their peers for 8 days socialising at the same time developing and sharing their dreams as swazi ladies. Thus Swazi ladies dont accept reckless sex in fear of punishment and ridicule from their peers in the event they get pregnant. As for the isue of nakedness lets be frank:it is a symbol of the origionality of this cermony in Swazi Culture thats it started a long time before the Swazi were civillized enough to afford proper clothing and in that case a big thumbs up for them for having stayed closer to the origionality of the ceremony even on such tyme of civillazation. Anyway Girls this days do walk naked even on the Streets especially in those 1st world countries like USA and nobody complains about it. A point of correction Swazi ladies are 80 percent descent in covering up their bodies when dressed on normal occasions and days. Those who attribute th Reed dance to King Mswati and say it is demoralising better seek new means of challenging the political set-up of Swaziland which I believe is their major concern.

Gisemba		01-May-2011 08:35
culture propagates morals to the society.this culture is different what does it teach the young generation to walk naked?please to the leaders lets embrace our culture by keeping moral lets build a culture and morals in our people.

Nghana		27-Apr-2011 21:48
Not only about preserving culture but supose to be spiritual way of live.Christianity is a copy of Africa kingiship but was manipulted to misguide humanity or africans.Jesus was incorporated in the middle age, but he represents a cesar,Greg king or Roman king. The original image of this cesar is in France muzeum.This Jesus/cesar is king, Maria is the queen mother.In African culture king must be a God but must be guided by his mother.This wizdom give birth to Cristianity.Those Christians who think this is backkward practice should be shamed of their ignorance and plagiarism. The true one day will be reveled.

Nghana		27-Apr-2011 21:44
It is not only about preserving culture but supose to be spiritual way of live.Christianity is a copy of Africa kingiship but was manipulted to misguide humanity or africans.Jesus was incorporated in the middle age, but he represents a cesar,Greg king or Roman king. The original image of this cesar is in France muzeum.This Jesus/cesar is king, Maria is the queen mother.In African culture king must be a God but must be guided his mother.This wizdom give birth to Cristianity.Those Christians who think this is backkward practice should be shamed of their ignorance and plagiarism. The true one day will be reveled.

Guest		15-Apr-2011 02:30
Angel D, you are the kind of a man, we need in such of respond, i do really like your comment. Because culture is the identity of mankind no matter what you are! But those who think that way, i myself considered them as animals as cross breeding. On the other hand, they don't have the root of culture, because the lion can raise mouse and it still the mouse. So, i thank you for stood up for your culture. The man who spoke on behave of it root is a man who always knew what is his ancestors passed on the next generation. And may God punish them they're evile.

Angel D		12-Apr-2011 11:57
guys we do this because we luv ourselves n want to keep oour culture, its not about finding a virgin or virgins to go n sleep with

black uhuru		12-Apr-2011 08:37
swaziland is land of culture and tradition,white people must get that in their mind.we will not westernnise our selfs purely for the purpose of your exception and acknowledgement.viva africa viva

NKOSITHANDILE		22-Mar-2011 13:57
these are african women and men we are proud

Guest		21-Feb-2011 07:32
Please can I have a copy of all photo galleries, send me to my mail ekafuta@gmail.com

Ernest Earl Itwana		21-Feb-2011 07:28
Please king can i have an opportunity of visit those virgin in your next selecting of wife,If possible may be to allow me living in your country good enjoyment

blackgold		11-Feb-2011 18:44
This is nothing but some ol, Josephine Baker Banana Skirt, Tarzan jungle bullshit. Showing barebreasted half naked african women is just reinforcing the stereotype that this is all of Africa. This is the only image that a lot of people have of Africa and I'm sick of this shit. Theres even one photo of just a girls ass. You can see this Reed Dance stuff on Youtube and you can see how some camera men be tryin to film up the womens skirt. Some of these girls are very young and under age and some pervert is looking at this and is probably wacking off. Cut this crap out!

Beachgurl		04-Feb-2011 20:04
I agree with Bonginkosi Lukhele. I think women in America need to embrace that as a beautiful and rare thing more. I am still a virign but most americans dont celebrate that fact.

Guest		25-Jan-2011 08:38
Its no shame for the swazis who know the purpose of reed dance,proud and well preserved girls attend, who would'nt want to preserve herself and showcase her varginity until marriage, ask the man themselves they surely want to marry these good girls from ESwatini. Long live our kingdom

bonginkosi lukhele		22-Nov-2010 04:50
we love our swazi culture and im proud of our woman who can still stand and be proud of their virginity and what i know is that virginity is not contained

bonginkosi lukhele		22-Nov-2010 04:48
we love our swazi culture and im proud of our woman who can still stand and be proud of their virginity and what i know is that virginity is not contained

Peter		16-Nov-2010 14:59
African Ladies are so pretty.

Mucina		25-Oct-2010 14:55
I come from Nairobi and attended the last reed dance in August 2010 in Swazi..place near Ezwilini.I mixed with the Swazi people and came to appreciate their cultural values. The dance is not for the King but for the Queen Mother..and the dance has no sexual conotation as some perverts want to infer. Infact yu even dont see nakedness of these girls but the rich cultural values they portray. The maids come from various parts of Swazi. SA, Zim etc to showcase their culture and dancing styles.If yu attend yu marvel at their agility as they dance around.Those who just oggle at these pictures will never appreciate the pourpose of the Reed dance untill they go there! LONG LIVE REED DANCE.

Magezi Stephen		14-Oct-2010 17:23
if we live in a democratic world let the girls of swaziland decide if its good for them or let it be freedoom of choice whether to get involved or not to stop confusion

Magezi Stephen		14-Oct-2010 17:23
if we live in a democratic world let the girls of swaziland decide if its good for them or let it be freedoom of choice whether to get involved or not to stop confusion

Magezi Stephen		14-Oct-2010 17:23
if we live in a democratic world let the girls of swaziland decide if its good for them or let it be freedoom of choice whether to get involved or not to stop confusion

thulie		06-Oct-2010 06:53
m proud of u swazi ppl, i cnt wait 2b on swaziland and thnx for giving me such a wonderful and a caring man. i am a zulu but ive realised dat swati men have a very gud care i luv u al guyz., keep on taking care of yourselves.

Mamotlalepula Mohale		26-Sep-2010 12:43
this is good & 1daful 2 keep your tradition active & alive,there4 God shall bless you mightily d Swatis.your country shall neva be cursed but shall be blesed abandently

Siviwe Ntleki		25-Sep-2010 10:05
Kuhle ukubona ukuba ubuntu bethu siyabuqaqambisa kwaye sinebhongo neqhayiya ngabo. Izizwe ziyanqwena ukuba nazo ngezisenza oku sikwenzayo. Akwaba nje singazenzela izinto zethu sizigcinele inkcubeko yethu singavumeli abezizwe basonele into entle kangaka. Yibambe ungayiyeki mzindini omhle ontsundu eAfrika.

Greybear Oosthuizen		22-Sep-2010 10:56
A wonderful tradition, similar to the Zulu and I just love the beauty of these girls dressed in the pretty colours. it's a culture that must be preserved. Africa must stay Africa and should not be influenced by the Western culture. Although white, Africa is part of me and I see myself as African, mostly I'm proud to be one. I grew up with the Sotho and their culture. Now living in Kwazulu, speak three different black languages. I always said to friends, watch and learn. Lovely pictures.

mfo dollar 2		15-Sep-2010 23:18
blessed ...dont take it too hard man, its life, there is nothng evil abt this dude. the sad thing really is u getting mixed up and not actually seeing tht this is part of the system tht is life. as long as no one is being forced ka1 one mdara

Mfo Dollar		15-Sep-2010 23:13
women r men's sex objects, always hv been snc biblical times, always will b. africans use culture as an excuse, europeans call it art or watever clever words they hv (watch fashion tv where yung gals r photograhed w nothing on and ts supposed to be fashion television!!??stupid arnt it. all ths things were and are meant to excite men, so wen i read sum silly comments about how i shld not get excited abt seeing thes gals im like, r ths pple stupid or just plain naive!! its the system , women r thr to excite men, if t werent so, then this tradition wld have stopped, sharon stone and charlize theron wldnt have won oscars for stripping down on tv for the sake of art. ok ths arent stupid, no i dont think so, man in diff parts of the world hv devised their own unique means of making their women diplay stuff for them, but to say men shldnt get excited after watching the procession kos its culture wat not is abosuletly insane and stupid, SO GO ON sharone stone, demi moore, halle berry, GO swaziland. but lets not use silly excuses to defend wat is in essence a natural event of life, its the system, wen u see a beautiful women, if sumwe along the line u dnt thnk sex, then u probably GAY NIGGA, its normal plis already

Aaron		09-Sep-2010 09:06
i am proud to be a swati

blessed		09-Sep-2010 06:24
god have mercy on us-----to actually say that we are covenanting with a higher spirit through reed dance------sad!!!! realli sad!!!!!! more lyk selling your soul if u ask me------i do not see the significance of this ------

Bukhosibemvelo		06-Sep-2010 12:43
Hhay bo I am so proud of being Swazi...<3.The beauty of being African is that u hav rhythm and colour flowing in ur veins...Umhlanga embili

bheki		05-Sep-2010 06:07
I am a proud Swazi who is not ashamed by our culture. I believe that our culture is who we are and we should be proud by the beauty of it. What ever they say about it, I don't care its just foolish people trying to get attention. So many people come to Swaziland during this season to celebrate with us because of it's beauty. I also think they come to celebrate with us because they likje the fact that we still remember our roots.

Willie Cecogo		13-Aug-2010 12:40
@ Yolande Nel you can watch some clips at you tube to get an idea. I have some clips posted there, just search Reed Dance.

Yolande Nel		11-Aug-2010 10:25
Hi' First I must say your culture is very interesting!! I am busy with a school project on the Zulu dance and song rituals during the Reed dance/ceremony and I need some facts/information please. I would like to know if there is a spesific dance pattern during this ceremony and whats the singing like? I would really appreciate any information. Thanks Yolande

Yolande Nel		11-Aug-2010 10:24
Hi' First I must say your culture is very interesting!! I am busy with a school project on the Zulu dance and song rituals during the Reed dance/ceremony and I need some facts/information please. I would like to know if there is a spesific dance pattern during this ceremony and whats the singing like? I would really appreciate any information. Thanks Yolande

tochi		29-Jul-2010 17:01
when will these beauties showcase their African pride again i will surely be there

Shamim		20-Jul-2010 15:22
Culture or whatever but we should think positively! Time for looking for ladies only was yesterday not today. Otherwise whites will dominate us until to the end!!

-nanga		14-Jul-2010 21:38
africa would be a heaven if not for HIV/AIDS. swazi girls , pls keep up ya beauty and stay away from HIV

-nanga		14-Jul-2010 21:21
AFRICA WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAVEN IF NOT FOR HIV/AIDS... LADIES TOU GUYS ARE WONDERFULL,JUST KEEP IT UP AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS DISTRUCTIVE DISEASE.

John		12-Jul-2010 09:21
How's everyone, John is back

guady5400-Angola		18-Jun-2010 00:43
I am very happy with your comments maybe one day Africa will get somewhere. Nothing wrong appreciates these beauties from African perspective. It is from these beauties that generate energy for the reed to be erected. The ancestries live with us as long the reed will be erected. Life is the combination between spirit realm and physical. As longer the reed will be erected is guaranteeing the everlasting life-eternal life. The reed dance celebration is reminder of the covenant between the Heaven and Earth, simultaneously an educational tool emphasising the importance of family. AFRICA CULTURE is a living BIBLE. The greatest educator of humanity.

Sibonginkosi		12-Jun-2010 07:09
I'm a true swazi so the is nothing wrong with our culture(umhlanga) so if u dnt like it just back off coz u dnt knw wht u are talking about

Guady-54054-Angola		07-Jun-2010 22:04
I am very happy with your comments maybe one day Africa will get somewhere. Nothing wrong appreciates these beauties from African perspective. It is from these beauties that generate energy for the reed to be erected. The ancestries live with us as long the reed will be erected. Life is the combination between spirit real and physical. As longer the reed will be erected is guaranteeing the everlasting life-eternal life. The reed dance celebration is reminder of the covenant between the Heaven and Earth .It is also educational tool. AFRICA CULTURE is a living BIBLE. The greatest educator of humanity.

cd		03-Jun-2010 14:09
The only person who would view this as pornography is a pervert. Are nude beaches considered pornographic NOOOOO Are the girls in shorts and micro-minis walking on the streets of developed countries considered pornographic NOOOOOO To begin with this is not a show, unless the photographer had a license/permission then these photoes are illegal therefore we can assume that the photographer has committed a crime. If the photographer had permission then he/she was there as a GUEST of the SWAZI NATION to appreciate the maidens at the Reed Dance The idiot who views these pictures as pornographic should simply GET OFF THE SITE and get a life Hope you aint wearing micro-minis and hotpants in the middle of San Fransisco coz that is just vulgar PS Swazis appreciate western fashion and respect other peoples cultures so get a life and respect ours or shut the F*** up coz you sure dont know what you are going on about.

Mhofu		02-Jun-2010 10:18
If we look at these pictures as ponography, we miss the point. This is culture not anything. We must re-live our past. This is reach African culture. If you mind is dirty, do not watch these picture.

Guest		31-May-2010 16:01
most beautiful girls on earth, anybody could say anything, but these are something worth seeing while we live..

Guady5404-Angola		03-May-2010 19:36
I visit this site as solidarity. 500 years ago Africans had more understanding about life. Africa culture, rite, symbolism and its understanding remain our only hope and saviour. Similar rites were practiced throughout Africa from Alexandria to Cape Town, when Africa was only habited by black Africans. It is from these rites that your Christianity, Islam and Judaism stem from. The Reed -Life- has more deeper meaning that just as virginity testimony; it is disguised in your churches, temples and monuments as opposed to the symbol of Death-Cross.

Temaswati Mshengu		02-May-2010 22:49
Abdul Aziz my brother, do you even know what you're saying. You talk modernisation. Have you ever told a Japanese lad 2 quit kung-fu and buy a three star okapi. or tried telling a Scottish chap 2 take off his kilt and buy a pair of Guess jeans to match his bag pipe(eintlik fok die bag pipe, somma get him an ipod), or maybe even telling a native American Indian to hang up his bow and arrow and carry a ak47. No. But coz were black you think we're ashamed of our Africanness like you? and we should modernise and give up our culture and go to the reed dance in Gucci skirts and stilletoes. Djys uit jou kop af (you're mad). I'm darn proud to be a swazi and so are the naked Girls you see at the dance. If you guys think we're gonna give up our heritage just to try to be white like you, you must be stupid. The Paul Smith outfit is for the afterparty. Now leave us and our culture alone.

Ngiyatigcabha Ngemaswati Akitsi		02-May-2010 22:09
To all those that feel that giving up our beautiful African cultures for these western ones you have absolutely no idea about is the smart thing to do, I have no objection but may you forever stay lost in the things that will never belong to you. Call us whatever names, say that were stuck in a 300 year old dress code, but for some1 who claims they are moving with the times of today. Your minds are still suffering from colonialism 40 years after the Europeans left Africa. You still think everything white is right and everything black is bad. The same white culture that teaches you that as soon as you see breasts, you think pornography. I wonder what went through your mind when your mother was breast feeding or when she breast feeds. The same white culture that makes it normal to trick our sisters into sleeping with guys, making video clips then selling it on the net? The same culture that takes photos of our sisters in their traditional attire at a cultural event, in our own country and posting it on the net as pornography. I could go on and on but then my fellow Africans, I'd rather stay with my backward culture. Atleast it has ethics.

Sive Mabuza		02-May-2010 21:25
If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. It just shows how perverted you are. I mean, Wtf you mean it promotes sex. It's been happening for years and we swazi's are proud of our culture. Do you guys need a PG13 sign sent to you so mommy can tell you to go 2 bed when it comes 2 issues like this? What are you, like 8 years old of iets you idiots?

Abuumundhir		23-Apr-2010 12:37
Innaa lillahi wa innaa ilayhi rajiun, this is kufr and must be abolished altogether, it promotes sexual activities out of marriage bond.

Guest		23-Apr-2010 12:34
This kind of culture must be abolished. It promotes nudity it is against the teaching of all major religions.

Mamotlalepula		22-Apr-2010 07:37
the nation without culture is perishing, it is sad and boring 4 us to be tought about our tradition without experiencing it... i love aMaswati they are a blessed nation, keep it up its wonderful... God bless Swaziland....

fred		12-Apr-2010 17:03
I like the swazi reed festival dance . good cultural heritage protection

yinka bamidele		09-Apr-2010 17:46
I love swazil. I love the country, I will love to witness this festival. Can anybody from this country give me an invitation letter for the next festival pleassssssssse? i will worship who ever can do that for me... yeancah from nigeria.

Ras Imore		26-Mar-2010 12:12
I am please to see that Africa culture is observed by people from many Caribbean islands in cluding Jamaica where i was born.

Joel		02-Mar-2010 08:34
im happy to see these pics.it makes me to be proud from where i come from AFRICA.our culture is great and need to be preserved.....i will like to attend the reed dance.pls can a Nigerian marry any of the maidens? inform me of the next reed dance date.i will like to attend..........................my mail engr_abia@yahoo.com.

kagz		27-Feb-2010 10:24
These are beautiful pictures. Give a clear picture of culture well preserved.

kagz		27-Feb-2010 10:24
These are beautiful pictures. Give a clear picture of culture well preserved.

Abdul Aziz		21-Feb-2010 13:02
Certainly the kind of ideas that our fathers have for this kind of cultures is undoubtedly very good and a welcoming one too, but at least it should be dynamic to the extent of accommodating certain changes as time goes on. All am saying is, the fact that this kind of cultures are good does not mean our mothers and sisters should be allowed to walk and dance in public naked. The Ashanti kingdom have find a way of maintaining their culture but in a modernized way not to promote nudity.

humprezz		19-Feb-2010 14:41
Malawi The cuture is fine and I admire. When happen toattend the occasion will choose one for myself

Grownmann		19-Dec-2009 07:53
why is it that we don't hear pple crying about the nude beaches that the western culture has brought to the sores of Cape town? Just like the white capetonians on the nude beach, the "maidens" at the reed dance have not been forced to be there. i have been living in KwaZulu Natal for 7 years now and have quite a number of lady friends who have attended this ceremony of THEIR OWN FREE WILL. I am envious of the sence of self worth and belonging they derive from this because my own immensely collonised Shona people in Zimbabwe do not have anything of this nature left. I am in full support of those who have held steadfast to their culture.... one day you shall be villified for having stood on the right side of history...BRAVO!!!

GUESTIII		11-Dec-2009 01:17
polygamy the way forward as a protection of african woman, deeds from crontroversial AFROAMERICAN WOMAN ACTIVIST

Guest		10-Dec-2009 04:28
Please is there anyway Tiger (not the one that lives in African wild life),can come and just have a relaxing time during one of the annual festivals?I think he needs this as a rehab therapy.It is gorgeous.

tichatonga		05-Dec-2009 07:01
wonder why yu guys have the highest HIV\AIDS rate in the world! after seeing these girls whats next? its time yu do something about these cultures; not necessarily abandon them but change your approach

Guest		28-Nov-2009 14:49
Hi Ngabi,i bought mine in th cultural vilage at mantenga.thy a amazing.

Ngabisa Dlamini-Foster		26-Nov-2009 11:25
Oh wow these are stunning Tessa, are they sold in posters ? I'd love a huge framed one for my living room.

Chabvonga		25-Nov-2009 12:02
It is good for us to see how the swazi women look when they are naked. I am already married but never dreamt of ever setting my eyes on a Zulu or Swazi naked woman until I attended one of these occassions. Thanks to the so called 'culture'

Guady-Angola		10-Nov-2009 23:01
Swazi brothers wake up!!! The rite was designed for you to have a virgin woman and beautiful one in the 21th Century!!! In my country it is impossible. Those nice, bare and melanised breast is to show you that she can be a Mother. The function of a breast is to produce milk to feed a child. Your greatest desire is not Sex sex sex.., but to be a Father. The breast is the impulse to wake up your fatherhood qualities. Only this way life is continuing-as the sun rises, sets and reborn. She is inviting you for this mission but she want to be worthy by keeping her virginity; also for purity for divine intervention.

Teedzai Nyamudeza		07-Nov-2009 09:32
Dlamni, you are one of the most reasonable people i have ever come across. you have helped me to understand that the umhlanga dress code is for the event and for the event only. Woe to me! This umhlanga culture must be preserved like the black rhino because it is thru these original cultures that we can see where africa came from. Thank you Dlamini. As for Vela who smuggles Mugabe into the discussion on umhlanga dance, I have nothing to say

veli		06-Nov-2009 20:01
Ye Dlamini yekela lomfati lotsi uyindvodza.sidzalasi lesi!!'teedzai'if u so much know how to talk and some points to mention on other peoples country and cultures why cant u do the same to urs.im sure if u do that one day ul have ur own reed dance and be happy like we are! Start criticising mugabe,u good in it im sure hel change.Good luck1

Bukhayinska		06-Nov-2009 15:24
Long live this tradition. I love every moment and I wish this could be practised in my own country. this is culture in its original context!!

DLAMINI		05-Nov-2009 17:29
Thank you my brother, as I said the best way is to come to Swaziland during this festival. Yes, I think it is okay for one to wear what he/she wants at the right place such as wearing swimming costume when in the swimming pool. The Swazis wear this regalia at the stadium in the royal kraal during Umhlanga event. There is a beach in South Africa where everyone there is completely naked and this does not mean people should walk nude in public. In the old days people did wear according to their age groups and sex, the adults covered their bodies as much as possible. Watch Shaka the Zulu film and you will tell me something. Even those across the Limpopo never walked naked.

Teedzai Nyamudeza		04-Nov-2009 13:13
Dlamini, Apparently I am not 'my sister' but rather 'my brother'. I didn't get u quite well but do you think it would be wrong for anyone to put on a gear of 500 years ago? A small goat skin on the front (and nothing at the back for unmarried persons)?

Dlamini		04-Nov-2009 12:08
The reed dance is not about the king hand picking the next wife, please you should understand this. The Inxwala dance is not held without the King but umhlanga reed dance is. King Mswati III has ruled since 1986 which means that he must by now be having over tweenty wives (he has 13 wives) if this was the norm for every umhlanga dance (held yearly). Polygamism is very popular within the Ngunis and in Zimbabwe as well especially with the appostle churches in Zimbabwe where my sister comes from. My sister the best thing is to attend the Reed dance then your questions will be answered. If I had to make a debate about the church man as old as 65 years getting a sixth wive (who is sixteen years old) from a congregation, would you justify that? Is this not a violation of human rights? The law allows a girl who is sixteen or more to be involved in love making without any fear of statutary rape. The list is endless my sister - culture is culture and nobody is forced to attend as it is to the churches is your country my dear.

Teedzai Nyamudeza		04-Nov-2009 08:50
I didn't know I had comitted a 'sin' by revealing that I am from Zimbabwe. But, then, does the fact that Zimbabwe is in 'huge diastrates than our umhlanga' dance disqualify me from making my points known? If you are foolish anything is possible! Nomatter how much the sex pervets may try to convince themselves that it is proper to make young girls naked in the name of cultural preservation it is not going to remove the stain that is on this barbaric and outdated piece of 'culture'. Answer me, you perpetual 'Guest', why does the parading of these bare chested girls lead to Mswati hand-picking his next 'wife'? Any person of average intelligence will tell that it's because the whole thing is a sexual farce drenched in vapid vulgarity.

Guest		03-Nov-2009 21:39
Talk ur guts out,criticise or like it,swaziland wil still keep their cultures.bare chested or bare ass name it wot u want.the most part is that us swazis we are obliged to still practice our roots.long time ago our african ansenstors never walked naked as u people say.thy coverd some parts of the body that is if u know the story of the garden of eden.also get facts before u write anything,umhlanga is once a year and last for a week.As for the one from Zimbabwe(teedzai),ur country is in huge diastrates than our umhlanga.candle on the table.............! not under.

tandekile		03-Nov-2009 12:24
Saying Africans are forgetting who they are because they are trying to protect the dignity of their girl children in response to changed times and values is stupid and contescending. The truth of the matter is you cannot just simply wish time and attitudes to stand still or be waht you want them to be and everyone who uses the argument of "this is Swazi culture and must never change" is either a self serving pervert or naive. Why is it that everybody is not walking bare chested or bare ass anymore when we ALL started out like that. Please stop trying to convince yourselves people...

Teedzai Nyamudeza		03-Nov-2009 11:45
By saying the Reed Dance should be abolished no one is saying we don't want to be 'black'. The truth is this culture is out of place in this day and age. How one can conclude that by saying this I am saying 'I want to be a white man' is beyond me. The eyes that are looking at these bare-chested girls now are completely different from those that were doing so a century ago. My question to those who support this barbaric thing is: Should we walk naked because Africans used to walk naked? It reminds me of a case in Zimbabwe sometimes around 2005 when 2 twin brothers went out naked with only a small piece of goat skin to cover up their shame. They were arrested even though they had a Zimbabwean dress code of a century or so ago. The Umhlanga reed dance is one of the worst things happening in Swaziland today

Guest		02-Nov-2009 16:28
Africa and its people will continue to practise their respective cultures even if there are some in their own ranks who decides to turn their backs on their heritage. I can only tell those Africans to look at mirrow so they could be reminded that they will always be black and African even if they wished otherwise

nosimilo salisbury		30-Oct-2009 22:48
u go swaziland. even though i live in the uk now but im a swazi at heart. never got a chance to attend whilst i was still there but u know wut, sisters are doing it for us all. wish the country cud develop a bit more and allow every swazi to have a beta life. God bless u ol maswati amahle

Guady-Angola		29-Oct-2009 23:58
It is not about Sex sex sex!!! But to appreciate African beauty trough African eyes. Well melanised breast, encircled by dark matter -the true expression of the creator. Well done sisters.

Guest		28-Oct-2009 16:37
Booooo! u a so boring with ur lousy english.get another place to practice it not here.

Teedzai Nyamudeza		26-Oct-2009 12:18
This Umhlanga thing is not fit for the morden society. We all know that long ago when this dance was still relevant the moral fabric that obtained in the society then was different from the one that obtains today. History and religion tells us that long ago people used to walk naked so does this mean to say we should accept and promote nudism in the name of preserving our "culture". Culture here is in inverted commas because logic will tell you that the real culture is more dynamic than it is static. So for trying to cling on to outdated "cultures" a lot of people have found themselves being swept away harshly by the tide of time

Franklin		22-Oct-2009 17:53
I´m so proud of Swaziland and her people for still holding on to their culture, regardless of what other people are saying. How can one disparage such a culture that gives the people their identity as well as furnishes their togetherness? Is it not far much honorable and better than those who parade their nakedness in beaches and streets in summer, even though they first called us the naked apes? Viva Swaziland Long live Africa Nkosi Sikelele Africa.

Guest		11-Oct-2009 22:09
How do you catch one'are these animals or humans.having a second wife is allowed in their culture.like u dd to ur wife,u propose if she accept then u marry and pay lobola.u dont catch these are also people and they have principles.these are not prostitudes,they are young maidens keeping their culture and doing what is right.nobody should take advantage or judge their ceremonies.

Abraham		09-Oct-2009 01:52
I fear for the ceremony because if i was to attend it denitely i will come back with a second wife cos they are very beautiful and i cant spare them if i see them physically.please how can i catch one of them?contact me.

Tandekile		06-Oct-2009 08:28
Goodgod!!! as an African Xhosa man living in the 21st century, I do not care how proud my daughter is of our culure and heritage there is no way I would ever allow her to parade (or be paraded whatever the case might be) bare breasted thus providing easily accessible jerk off material for millions of horny perverts around the world! Ther is a reason we cover up and not walk bare ass and breast in public nowadays and one of those reasons is that while dancing bare breasted might have been ok for the enjoyment of men around the camp fire in the village in the year1551, the village has now become global, the thinking of men and young men all around the globe evolved long time ago to include women's bare breasts as sexual organs and if you do not know this you need to catch the fukup! Are you telling me there is no way for the nation to signify and celebrate the purity and beauty of its virgins that does not include them flashing their titties at the world, Oh puhleeez! I was particulary pissed and saddened when this one barebreasted girl of about 18/19 was interviewed on TV during the Heritage Day celebrations here in South Africa. She said "Oh Im so proud of my heritage, just look at how beautiful this beaded necklace is for instance...". Im like HELOOOOOOOOOOOO!! NOBODY IS LOOKING AT THE STUPID NECKLACE MISS CONGENIALITY!!!!!

Tandekile		06-Oct-2009 08:19
Goodgod!!! as an African Xhosa man living in the 21st century, I do not care how proud my daughter is of our culure and heritage there is no way I would ever allow her to parade (or be paraded whatever the case might be) bare breasted thus providing easily accessible jerk off material for millions of horny perverts around the world! Ther is a reason we cover up and not walk bare ass and breast in public nowadays and one of those reasons is that while dancing bare breasted might have been ok for the enjoyment of men around the camp fire in the village in the year1551, the village has now become global, the thinking of men and young men all around the globe evolved long time ago to include women's bare breasts as sexual organs and if you do not know this you need to catch the fukup! Are you telling me there is no way for the nation to signify and celebrate the purity and beauty of its virgins that does not include them flashing sexual organs at the world, Oh puhleeez!

Guest		18-Sep-2009 09:20
Hi there-I ama African white man and I can only hope and pray that I can attend this ceremony one day when I can afford to go-the comments are really perturbing and I say "hold onto your culture" I lived in Botswana for 14 years and I think African culture is the best in the world-viva-I just wish I can get some African gals like this-you may sms if you want and I will respond 0762318683

Buhlebenkhosi		16-Sep-2009 20:26
Amen Zona!thank you very much.May God bless you and ur house.

Zona		16-Sep-2009 15:22
It is sad to read and hear African Poeple being ashamed of who they are!!! I am ZULU and proud!!! Let us not dweell on negetive aspects of life for that will get us nowhere!!! we should celebrate what the Lord has blessed us with and work hard to uplift and encourage each other instead of bringing each other down!!! If My God wanted me to be without heritage or culture I woould have been born European but I was not!!! He made me zulu for a reason!!! thats why I respect where I come from and respect all other natins and cultures! rather keep quite if you have nothing positive to say people!!!

mpha		16-Sep-2009 06:51
Please send me this year's date for the reed dance i want to come.

Guest		14-Sep-2009 13:33
Hello Buhle How are you? Did you enjoy reed dance? I was there and had a time of my life whowwww!!!!!. Like I said before I was out there and having real fun, fishing for young beatiful women, and guess what? I netted a big fish, if Mswati can do it why cant I?

Zimele		04-Sep-2009 08:47
Thanx a lot see these beauty of ours, hoping to see more for this year (2009). September is a heritage month let us be proud of our culture, "atibuyele emasisweni"

Guest		03-Sep-2009 23:43
Many tanks Buhebenksi

Buhlebenkhosi		25-Aug-2009 22:42
Hi all,reed dance is starting tomoro,the main dance is on the 31st August.All people are welcome to watch ths eventful ceremony with us in Swaziland and do enjoy ur stay.

Guest		21-Aug-2009 14:10
Hello Buhle You have not answered my question, What difference are you making to bring about change to lives of people living in swaziland? Since you sound like you have the financial muscle, and living a lavish lifestyle abroad. Next time before you put your Mouth into gear make sure that your brain is engaged. Last but no least you would wish that you were married to be in see what is life, Iam sure its never too late to divorce and come and enjoy the real fruits of marriage. Who knows you might be living abroad in a Squatter Camp. Stop telling us that you are learned cause it does not sound like, people like us never brag about our education, Companies we own and a lot more. Meet you in the so called reed dance, anyway iam just going there to do what your King is doing " Fishing for young beatiful women. bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

obi		21-Aug-2009 12:50
this king go enjoy plenty women,fresh chic! i hope i will be there king one day.

Olusegun		19-Aug-2009 19:49
I posted a comment on dis last year. In all sincerity I did not research the festival and the culture of the Zulu nation. Most of us that are foreigners do have a very shallow view of it. Do you know in a town in South Western Nigeria a similar maiden festival is done.Having researched deeply into Zulu culture and also visited Durban and Zulu land, as long as the motive is to celebrate chastity and discourage immorality I support it and will advise it should be closely watched.Kwandho and Bulenkhosi pls u guys are blood you need to put your swords in their scabbards and your pen in the drawer, the excange of texts is heavy pls settle score in the name of ur ancestors. Stay blessed

Buhlebenkhosi		19-Aug-2009 17:53
Hi Nompumelelo. It real doesnt matter wot u wrote cos i ddnt read it,wil never do.im done wth u,let that sank in ur tiny brain. actualy,i hve more better and exiting things to do.Get a life!!!

Willie Cecogo		18-Aug-2009 11:11
@ Mpi I've learned from a friend in Swaziland that this years Reed Dance will be held on the 31st of this month.

Guest		18-Aug-2009 10:49
Hi Buhlebenkhosi This will probarbly be my last comment directed to you and you alone. Children are a beatiful gift from God, whether you have them outside of the marriage or not. Having children is not a passport or ticket to marriage as you make it sound like. When it comes to education whow... you make me laugh sister. For your own info Iam a succesful Adv by proffession who happens to run a one of the most powerful legal firms in (Gauteng) SA. and a business man who owns the 1st 100% black owned and managed steel Company in SA. Let me tell you about me sis, intellectual, religious and political. I guess its an interesting cocktail cause it gives me reason to do good and see good in everyone. Creating a better place for humanity and thats what drives me and thats me!!!!!! I have done a lot for swazi students who are studying in SA, we have provided bursaries, scholarships and many more. You know why, because iam giving back to my communities in swaziland, and what about you Mrs know it all? I dont go and tell who ever cares to listen about staying abroad. Or maybe your are from the royal family hence you could afford to study and work in overseas. Little education or little information is very much dangerous especially to people like you who dont know how to use it effectively. What are you contributing to uplift the standard of those poor people living in our beatiful country. Its about time that people of swaziland should wake up and smell the coffee and start addressing the imbalances of the past that affects their daily lives. Theres nothing wrong with the reed dance cause its being practised years and years ago. what happens with life after the reed dance? The poor still remains poor and the rich get richer with women. To be honest with you I have never came across and idiot let alone a dom kop like you on the net. Swettie, I will never let anyone tell me to shut up and not speak whats on my mind. I dont have time for fools like you. If you want my real profile about the kind of work i do and what i provide for the people of swaziland say so and i will forwrd my Companies website address so that you check it for yourself as iam no fake sister. lastly you can go to the nearest hell for all I care. Iam a swazi and will remain a swazi whether you like it or not.

Buhlebenkhosi		18-Aug-2009 00:19
Hi Nompumelelo Allow me to predict th kind u a!u wer never obedient to ur parrents,u never went to the reed dance that is why u a unmarried but have children,u a uneducated so as very illeterate and u rarely get access to the internet,hence it took u more thn a month to ans me.u a also stressed of not making ur ends meet that is why u keep blaming my country and my king for ur stuborness wch is contributed by ur upbringing.For ur silly tiny mind,im not abroad for greener pastures,reason is im very learned and still seeking more education so i take posture back to my country Those girls dont know anything about aids,even if its that much in swaziland why are u mixing it wth th reed dance.to my suprise u have no idea that aids is all over th world,its 40% BCOS it is a small country,our population is not even a million dumbo!!!U also making a stupid eg of a raped 14yr old.how many instances had tht ever happened in all th reed dances attended in swaziland.u a not even sure what realy happened to that girl.there a soldiers ,police every wer at th reed dance.it is safe for any parrent to let their daughters attend.ur only aim is to paint swaziland bad.if u hate ur own country ths much why are u still dwelling in it.by u writing all ths gibbaresh,is it helping u in any way?is this going to change our cultures,even at ur grave u wont hear of it!!! U are full of hate and anger for wot th king is doing,he has changed a lot in sd ,he also travelled to Taiwan to bring back technology,how wud u b able to write all ths bad things to show th world about swazis today?u want him to change his cultures too?how do u expect hm to do that?u dont think about all the good things he had done for th country,how evil u a!i accept all bad comments from people who are not fom swaziland ,they dont kno anything,but for a swazi to criticize swaziland,its an embarrassment.going back to my words,u have no backbone and a bad ambassodor to ur own and only country.Shame on u. Im through wth you,i dont argue with a fool,people might not notice the difference.all u need to know is Swazi traditions n cutures will stand strong till th end of time and u bet,my girls wll be in ths year ceremony.

Goofy		17-Aug-2009 12:26
i have to admit...odadewethu bamaSwati namaZulu basenza siziqenye ngabo...phambili ngobuhle beAfrica phambili.

Guest		17-Aug-2009 02:27
Please people,dont spoil th so beautiful website.this is a good culture and its nice to see some people are stll sticking to their roots.if u dont like it,stay away from it or make a change,if u cant better shut up.i also dont think its wise to make aids and poverty the mark here,many countries have been taken by aids and poverty but thy dont do reed dance.if an indivdual is against ths swazi culture,he or she musn try to turn us all.if ths was my country and my culture i wud accept it or go on exile thn critisising its cultures.if u cant beat them,join them,a saying goes.

guady5404		15-Aug-2009 02:21
Morden Swazis do not practice African culture per se, as holistic system, at tall. The Jesuits managed to eradicate it, on the face of the Earth. Reed dance do not have any bearing on the European cultural, political and social system, I am afraid. Our poverty is not because of lack of education, corruption, polygamy, but how the blessing is been channelling. If the God of Jesus and Mohamed represents the ultimate supreme being , we are in big trouble. Last year, I went to Emirates, I see the blessing ,Europe I see the blessing, Asia I see the blessings ; just came from Kenya, Nigeria and Congo I see misery. I Live in a country where almost every year is been discovered oil reserve, but poverty is over 85%.99% Angolans pray to Jesus for thing to go well in their lives , but their wishes are not been delivered. Foreign Gods are to blame. Or no! Is not live about balance? Praying without positive outcomes in the ALL CONTINENT ; It is sad sad!! Remember only the God you are lean to, determine the thing to go well or wrong for you. 17th century Queen Nzinga own us , no to give our souls to strange forces; and 2 century later, captured Zulu King refused to worship Jesus. Hell no! ‘The will of my ancestry is the same as God’s will and, me being the will of God, through my father and mother’. James George Frazer, English social anthropologist, who interviewed him, understood him, claiming the African knew the true God. Remember only the God you are lean to, determine the thing to go well or wrong in your live.

guady5404		15-Aug-2009 01:54
Morden Swazis do not practice African culture per se, as holistic system, at tall. The Jesuits managed to eradicate it, on the face of the Earth. Reed dance do not have any bearing on the European cultural, political and social system, I am afraid. Our poverty is not because of like of education, corruption, polygamy, but how the blessing is been channelling. If the God of Jesus and Mohamed represents the ultimate supreme being , we are in big trouble. Last year, I went to Emirates, I see the blessing ,Europe I see the blessing, Asia I see the blessings ; just came from Kenya, Nigeria and Congo I see misery. I Live in a country where almost every year is been discovered oil reserve, but poverty is over 85%.99% Angolans pray to Jesus for thing to go well in their lives , but their wishes are not been delivered. Foreign Gods are to blame. Or no! Is not live about balance? Praying without positive outcomes in the ALL CONTINENT ; It is sad sad!! Remember only the God you are lean to, determine the thing to go well or wrong for you. 17th century Queen Nzinga own us , no to give our souls to strange forces; and 2 century later, captured Zulu King refused to worship Jesus. Hell no! ‘The will of my ancestry is the same as God’s will and, me being the will of God, through my father and mother’. James George Frazer, English social anthropologist, who interviewed him, understood him, claiming the African knew the true God. Remember only the God you are lean to, determine the thing to go well or wrong in your live.

Guest		14-Aug-2009 14:42
Hello Buhlebenkhosi First of all nobody questioned your loyaty regarding your culture, its good to see that there are still people who have been doomed by the so called culture and afraid of change in this times that we are living in. Secondly in order for people to appreciate your tradition and culture you need to teach them the basics about your culture. I have gone through the comment you posted in response to the one i posted and from I can tell you right now that it does not need a rocket scientist to figure out what type of a person you are as it leaves a lot to be desired. I think you might have a problem with your upbringing and please dont take it on some of us. If you do have a backbone about your country & your culture you wouldnt have left the country and sick greener pastures. Your comments are disgusting, distateful, deceitful, disrespectful, unwarranted and clearly from a person who suffers from (PHD) filled with hatred. I wonder what kind of a man who married a pyscopath like you. In short you were badly brought up. Iam might be half shagaan as u said but I shall not allow myself to be swimming in a pool of confusion filled with hatred for foreigners who were merely expressing their own views. Get a life 40% of adults living in Swaziland are suffering from HIV & AIDS and leaving in poverty while you so called king is leaving a lavish lifestyle and encouraging pologamy. Children have choices to make and not being forced to marry people they dont love or like because of culture. For your info a 14 year old child was gangraped during the so called reed dance when she was left behind and whats your take on that? Grow up woman and stop battering people for their own personal opinions. Lastly I wish your daughters luck for the next reed dance maybe your so called king might choose them and live a lavish lifestyle while the poor remains poor.

Cele		11-Aug-2009 16:25
Prasad, I spoke to the guyz from inkosiyami.co.za and they said , they will update their website with more contents, photos and videos. They are currently working on a DVD about the Zulu Kingdom. Let's just keep checking their site.

prasad		05-Aug-2009 12:12
please show more photos

Mpi		03-Aug-2009 13:16
hi guys, i want to come to the reed dance for this year when is it, can u send me the dates,

Mpho		14-Jul-2009 07:48
Halala Madiba, guys please send me the dates of this year reeds dance, i am in the Kimberley in the Northern Cape and would love to be part. Please please guys where is Reeds dance held in Swaziland and send me accommodation list. Hola Swaziland Hola, I am coming.

Guady5404		09-Jul-2009 12:49
The very devise rite of Womanhood that our Ancestry laid out to fight all form of immorality is the same tools that the enemy of African used to destroy African social stratification. Public display of their breast is sign, in their way to Motherhood and the place safe is the African Womanhood .Only in this PLACE the Devine Son or King can be born safely, because they are the carriers of this seed. Observing this remnant of African way of live ,Africa did not had sex concept, but preservation of life ,within the circle,( birth, growth, maturity, death and rebirth).Devine experience only with purity of mind-virtuoso experience.Angola

Frederick		06-Jul-2009 11:26
African Beuty, can someone plz tell me the dates. I just like to be there this year. This is what we need to do as South Africans to keep our culture alive. Tata Swazi tata!!!!!!!

BUHLEBENKHOSI		26-Jun-2009 21:19
Aakhu!thats a true swazi.u were raised in a swazi home and in a swazi way.i appreciate ur comments Thandokuhle and im proud of u.ur husband is a lucky man.im also maried wth two daughters n believe me theyl never miss a year of the reed dance.they v much love n respect it.thats what kept us to be who we are today!

Kwandokuhle		25-Jun-2009 13:17
Im really disappointed with these people who always say Swazi girls attend Umhlanga in order to be choosen as the kings next bride. Im a proud Swazi that attended Umhlanga for years and I value Umhlanga coz it made me stay a virgin for a long time coz I wanted to attend the following year to celebrate my virginity and cut the reed thats used in theRoyal Residents as Emaguma. Now Im married to a Zulu who is proud of me and have a baby girl that will definately attend Umhlanga in Swaziland and in KwaZulu in order to preserve herself. Lets not say the girls are naked because the Swazi girls attire is far better than the Zulu's and the Xhosa's in covering but even those they are decent in their own culture and Umhlanga promotes kutiphatsa kahle entfombataneni. Most of the times those that are against Umhlanga is because they engaged in sex early so they are ashamed of showing their body and if you had never had sex you dont see what the fuss is about. Umhlanga is one of the best culture's in the whole world that will help in reducing HIV. Ningasoneli lisiko letfu lelihle kakhulu nakangaka tsine lasenta satigcina sate sendza singakataleli emakhaya.

Allen		18-Jun-2009 19:50
Allen 18-Jun-2009 19:47 I cannot believe that people actually use these traditional behaviour and compare it to their own culture and their own idea of what is right and wrong......wake up and smell the roses guys. Have you all gone nuts....probly very few of you come from Africa or Southern Africa for that matter. Aids is not a uniquely African disease, why bring it into the equation at all??? This is what tradition is all about. People commenting negatively, or commenting about the "sexual" nature and "nudity" in the pics should rather go to the porn sites that they probly prefer. They do not belong here. If you cant except africa for what it is, rather do not comment and log out. I am currently doing research on the rain dance, the snake dance, the ring dance, the reed dance, stick dance and the wedding dance. If anyone have some more info on these cultural traditions, please let me know.

BUHLEBENKHOSI		14-Jun-2009 17:38
I care! for my country ofcos.who a u trying to immitate wth ur yey and wot does it realy mean,it sound stupid.cant u get a reasoning word to use.nobody is arguing here and the only person sounding more like a fool is u!(semza)

semza		08-Jun-2009 17:38
never argue with a fool, for we may not notice the difference. If you love Swaziland yey! if you dont like Swaziland yey! who cares anway.

BUHLEBENKHOSI		01-Jun-2009 22:39
NOMPHUMELO WHO EVER U CALL URSELF.FIRST OF ALL IM NOT UR BROTHER.IAM A WOMAN WHO HAPPEN TO HAVE A BACKBONE ABOUT HER COUNTRY AND CULTURE.I WIL NOT LET A FOREIGNER TALK BAD ABOUT MY COUNTRY.ILL STAND STRONG FOR MY COUNTRY AND MY KING.MYBE UR HALF SHANGAAN.IAM A TRUE SWAZI EVEN IF I LEAVE ABROAD.DO URSELF GOOD,U TRAITOR AND GO N LEAVE IN CAMERRON.UR A AN EMBERASSMENT TO SWAZIS,NEVER A GOOD AMBASSADOR TO UR COUNTRY.TRAITOR

SHOSHOLOZA		01-Jun-2009 09:41
THAT IS OFFICIAL AND LEGAL,IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NAKED WOMEN AND THE SPREADING OF HIV/AIDS GO TO THE STREET OF JOHANNESBURG.LEAVE THE SWAZI ALONE.

NOMPUMELELO		22-May-2009 11:08
HI BUHLEBENKOSI MY BROTHER EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR PERSONAL OPINIONS IN LIFE AND THERE ARE WAYS AND MEANS OF ADDRESSING ISSUES IN A MORE CIVILIZED MANNER, THE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO BE RUDE OR USE VULGAR WORDS WHEN ONE DISAGREES WITH YOU. I FOR MYSELF DONT AGREE WITH SOME OF THE THINGS BEING DONE IN THE NAME OF CULTURE. IAM A SWAZI AND A PROUD ONE, SO MY BROER GROW UP AND WISH THAT GOD HELP YOU REMOVE THE HATRED YOU HAVE FOR FOREIGNERS CAUSE YOU SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THEM.

Guady5404		17-May-2009 22:21
Angola Ability to see these girls beyond the sexual gratification.However, to see potential fertile woman that will be a mother. That is the natural joy.The pure feeling come from the imagination that those breast will feed your first son, which is continuation of life-eternity.Remember, these are the tools to resurection.Cameroonian you a confused CHRISTIAN

Buhlebenkosi		16-May-2009 21:16
And by the way,wen dd u check the aids statistics,check again cameroon leads in africa and i bet,uv got it too.

Buhlebenkhosi		16-May-2009 21:12
You cameroonian man fuck off n stay in ur horible country.wot do u know dumbo!!!

Makinitha		21-Apr-2009 20:25
i agree wit zak. beutiful but zulus are wild.

Guest		21-Apr-2009 20:22
wow its amazing clothing

muvirimig		17-Apr-2009 12:10
great culture!!!

zak		01-Apr-2009 15:02
excellent pictures!!

Cameroonian		01-Apr-2009 08:08
Hi to all, With due respect, Is this the only criteria for the king to choose a wife? The whole show is very uncomfortable, very indecent and tempting. The advantages of this practice i believe are nothing compared to the disadvantages on these young innocent girls and on the swazi people as a whole. This can promote many undesirable acts. Tell me which normal human being can be at ease in the face of thousands of bare breasted beautiful maidens? who knows if the high level of HIV infection in this beautiful country is as a result of this practice ? I wish not the practice be wiped out at least some decency be introduced, may be the the breasts should be covered. Not everything is to be upheld in the name of Culture, especially when it does not promote the dignity of the HUman Person. This swazi practice could be void of all corruption in the ancient times, but in our present perverse world it is can lead to decadence in the sexual domain. it is like releasing a wild beat from its chains. These young ones are exposed to a high risk (sexual abuse, AIDS etc)by this practice. JUst read some of the comments and reports of happenings that surround this practice. I crave much indulgence if i hurt anyone especially my dear brothers and sisters of Swaziland. (Objectivity and goodwill counts rather than passion) Question Why are some swazi who refuse to take part in this festival Fined?

GUEST		30-Mar-2009 16:57
LETS FACE THE TRUTH, LETS NOT BE NAIVE. tHE SIMPLICITY WE CLAIM IS NO MORE OF THIS WORLD Many undesirable things happen to these beautiful little one at times against their wish and expectations. The Good this culture promotes is negligible compared to the negative side in it.

GUEST		30-Mar-2009 16:55
LETS FACE THE TRUTH, LETS NOT BE NAIVE. tHE SIMPLICITY WE CLAIM IS NO MORE OF THIS WORLD Many undesirable things happen to these beautiful little one at times against their wish and expectations. The Good this culture promotes is negligible compared to the negative side in it.

Cameroonian		30-Mar-2009 16:49
With due respect for the swazi culture, i want to think that not everything is to be upheld in the name of culture. All that is done is intended for good, but personally i believe it all does not promote the good it intends to promote. It promotes contrary values as far as the human person is concerned. It is passive coercion towards sexual abuse. Proof of this is inherent in some of the comments. Who knows if the High level of HIV infection in this small beautiful country with its nice people is due to this. What this cultural practice claims to promote was not possible even in the garden of eden, among our first parents, innocent and primitive as they were. What more of our perverse society marked by sexual decadence. I crave indulgence if i sound offensive to anyone.

Zubair Malik		19-Mar-2009 12:29
These are the real people who lives there life simple and does not go for materialist stuff. Life is too short.one should learn to live simple life.Swazi represent pure African culture.If any body wants send me a mail on my personal view,can send @ malikzubair79@yahoo.com.

SWAZILUVA		18-Mar-2009 19:32
lauren, the site loads, after all of the words appear it takes about 5 secs for the site to come up (for me anyway), but it never is updated.I want to find new photos of the most recent reed dances.

M Zubair Malik		05-Mar-2009 12:14
In African cultures Swaziland has a unique cultural and traditional ethics.People like to criticise Reed Dance event, because its very easy to criticise.In fact what ever is in the culture it could never be outdated just because people wants to see the change.The Reeds Dance encourage youngsters to practice a confident life style.

Lauren		02-Mar-2009 16:15
Hello all, The website www.inkosiyami.co.za does not seem to be up. Anyone else having problems with it? Thanks.

Guest		25-Feb-2009 08:47
I am taking a one way ticket and never coming back

Muhammad Zubair		15-Feb-2009 09:55
In African cultures Swaziland has a unique cultural and traditional ethics.People like to criticise Reed Dance event, because its very easy to criticise.In fact what ever is in the culture it could never be outdated just because people wants to see the change.The Reeds Dance encourage youngsters to practice a confident life style.

John		08-Jan-2009 15:57
Lets welcome each other to a happy new year and this year we as Africans must be proud of being Africans and stop Xenophobia and other hatred towards each other...Swazi girls are doing it nicely and we must support them but without the naughty third eye....welcome all to a new year.

kay		29-Dec-2008 02:52
just want to tell all the swazi girls that you are awesome. pay no mind to those who think your lowly of your culture. be proud of it and who you are. i love the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimani		18-Dec-2008 11:48
Its Beautiful, if all you see is nudity you are missing the forest for the trees, There ia absolutely nothing wrong with the dance, Its rich

Olusegun		01-Dec-2008 17:08
I'm als an african with a wonderful culture but while promoting our culture we should be wary of the fact that the world is moving at a faster pace and there is one constant thing ''CHANGE''. We should not xpose these innocent teenagers and underaged to potential gender abusers. Are we really celebrating them when we are exposing their God given jewels to the world FREE OF CHARGE?

amjad zia mughal		12-Nov-2008 20:15
colorfull but very strange for me looklike stone age======= inocent and under age grils its maybe all right for swazi pepole

amjad zia mughal		12-Nov-2008 20:15
colorfull but very strange for me looklike stone age======= inocent and under age grils its maybe all right for swazi pepole

andrew monoke epule		10-Nov-2008 12:03
An exceptional event, showcases the undiluted Swaziland.They're certainly one of the great colourful moments in African culture. I still hold very dear the warm memories of Swaziland and her friendly people.

Guest		24-Oct-2008 12:16
DLAMINI FROM BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE. I want to say it to everyone in the world that Swazi culture is my culture and I am proud of that, for the past seven years I make it a point we attend the Reed Dance with my family and a group of young girls. I also have some photos of the girls who come from South africa (Xhosas, Zulus and Ndebeles) clearly indicating that this is our black culture, like it or not.

Ncube Sibongiseni, UKZN		16-Oct-2008 21:25
What is happening MaSwati amahle, why is your government leaving people dying of poverty. Why are you people of the Kingdom doing this to your people, what leadership are you operating with, why are you leading your people to the grave becuase of hunger. The great Kingdom is seen by it great deeds to it people. Have heart for the poor. Swaziland is a small country, how come that the economy it possess is not enough for all people, why is that?. What went wrong MaSwati amahle, what is going wrong?. Kind Mswati, your people are dying of hunger, have a heart for them. Take care of the people, that is what God Almighty wants from you. My heart is weeping for those poor people who are dying of hunger plus HIV and AIDS. Someone must stand up for them, someone must speak for them, for they can't do it by themselves. HAVE A HEART FOR THE POOR.

Ncube Sibongiseni, UKZN		16-Oct-2008 21:21
What is happening MaSwati amahle, why is you government leaving people dying of poverty. Why are you people of the Kingdom doing this to you people, what leadership are you operating with, why are you leading your people to the grave becuase of hunger. The great Kingdom is seen by it great deeds to it people. Have heart for the poor. Swaziland is a small country, when come that the economy it possess is not enough for all people, why is that?. What went wrong MaSwati amahle, what is going wrong?. Kind Mswati, your people are dying of hunger, have a heart for them. Take care of the people, that is what God Almighty wants from you. My heart is weeping for those poor people who are dying of hunger plus HIV and AIDS. Someone must stand up for them, someone must speak for them, for they can't do it by themselves. HAVE A HEART FOR THE POOR.

Guest		12-Oct-2008 14:25
ok

fulathelazimbuke		29-Sep-2008 11:59
I would like to disagree with Ma Ed Nxumalo about the issue of nudity. Zwide I would like to urge you to refrain from smuggling God into this issue. I still wonder why you say God is against naken people. Please go back to your bible Nxumalo. The one I read stated that both Adam and Even were naked. God created them naked and did not give them any cudduci, pollo or even swim wear for that matter. I am an African and proud of my heritage. I do not want to be told by an equal human that my culture is not correct. Zwide maybe I need to remind you ukuthi you are an African as well and your forefathers were an integral part in the building of a formidable Zulu nation and instilled heritage and culture. Phambili ngamasiko namagugu ezizwe zama-Afrika. Ngingumsinsi wokuzimilela kwelengabadi futhi ngiyaziqhenya ngaloko

Chirenje		23-Sep-2008 09:39
Swazi people are unique in that they have not accepted to be premordalised by modernity with its too many rights that are wrong..what is freedom without restraint .Swazi is the bastion of ubuntu..some pressure groups with agendas are quick to fault the king not to say he may not have his wrongs ..it is a flaw however to be unable to separate his personal faults and the goodness inherent in what he represents is ignorance ...the women l beg them to be moderate and not be misled into this concept of being undermined by men ..they are forces beset upon undermining the superiority of what they stand for ...let us not be a bastardised people

Mathangwane		21-Sep-2008 11:33
Only a person from the so-called "first-world" countries could make comments like that about another man's culture. Phela these guys lost their cultures ages ago and they don't even recognise a beautiful thing even when it's right on their monitors. Visit Swaziland, stay for a month or more, take a trip to the homesteads, town, museum, etc and see for yourself how people feel about MOST of our practises. Don't you go politicising culture... Proud to be Swazi.

Denis		18-Sep-2008 12:11
Hi, We are working on this year's contents for inkosiyami.co.za We should be able to provide you some information about the reed dance and Zulu Culture later next month. Denis

firemike21		16-Sep-2008 04:29
Guy's, this is not our culture. These people have a different moral system, and code of ethics. It is not our place to pass judgement on events that are not part of our culture. This is another example of the western world is trying to push its views on other peoples, which is wrong. For us in the United States, i believe that we are getting into more business that does not concern us. Isolationism once worked for our nation, and while im not proclaiming a total regression to that type of thinking. I'm just saying we could pick our fights a bit more carefully. please, any replys to thie feel free to email me. michael_voltz@hotmail.com

proud african		15-Sep-2008 11:51
let the lusty whiteman go attend the stupid annual bull rampage or the tomato throwing events in europe rather than ogling our innocent maidens trying to find fault with the event.The event is colourful and has lots of rich cultural teachings. whats the fuss with your catelogue of abuses. These are post colonial days leave us alone

mboloyatota		15-Sep-2008 11:34
after some analytical and cultural thought ,i naturally dont see anything wrong with this swazi cultural event. Infact we have to applaud the king for making sure the reed dance survives the test of time and the western unrealistic assault. leave them alone dont be champions against courses you dont even understand. This is a rich culture, leave us ,africans, alone.

sweetlittleinyoni		11-Sep-2008 14:35
If you look at the pictures posted by Tessa you will see that the maidens are happy, smiling, laughing, dancing - they are enjoying the camaraderie, the excitement of being privileged enough to take part in the dance. Only if you have been there and seen for yourself can you understand what I mean, feel the excitement of 30,000 chattering girls- these girls are proud- they can stand tall and say I am untouched! and nobody has a right to critisise - come see for yourself before making judgements. Proud Swazi - Intfombi yaka Velezizweni

sweetlittleinyoni		11-Sep-2008 13:28
If you look at the pictures posted by Tessa you will see that the maidens are happy, smiling, laughing, dancing - they are enjoying the camaraderie, the excitement of being privileged enough to take part in the dance. Only if you have been there and seen for yourself can you understand what I mean, feel the excitement of 30,000 chattering girls- these girls are proud- they can stand tall and say I am untouched! and nobody has a right to critisise - come see for yourself before making judgements. Proud Swazi - Intfombi yaka Velezizweni

Sibusile		09-Sep-2008 14:42
my goodness!,l really dont understand why people have to be so critical about our culture?its Swazi stuff and hey l am a modern lady 23yrs who still participate in the cultural event.People who dont understand it and dont wanna learn about the reed-dance,please find something else to talk about ans STOP insulting us!!Swazis love and are very proud of their culture and monarch,stop spoilling our happiness.SIBAHLE SINJE!!!!

sami		07-Sep-2008 13:12
let the African culture to live, nowadays girl start having sexfrom as young

Sami		07-Sep-2008 13:10
Hey Guyz, let the African culture to live, nowadays girl start having from as young as 12yrs, to get a virgin girl at the age of 16 yrs is very difficult, let the swazies continue with their culture i have no problem if u dont beleive me visit: www.teengee.com www.unclevids.com www.mumyvids.com then you can comment on the beauties of swazi LIVE LONG SWAZIES (tech.sami@gmail.com)

Jose Spencero		05-Sep-2008 13:32
I think Ben was hung up on the nudity issue, of which I have no problem with the Swazi's. My problem is interpretation. Westerners, esp. christians, viewing these pages are awed by the seemingly primitive practice and even more primitive culture. But, it is true, the eyes of the westerner is clouded by his world view that America is the best. Any other practice, no matter the importance to your culture, is not easily grasped by ours. Please understand that we are trying to make your culture understandable with only western thinking, as evidenced by the whack-offs looking for jerkbait--but finding many children instead. As an American, I am not proud of the many instances that we "help" other countries that don't need it or don't want our "democracy" either. Frankly, it is embarassing. But I must also say that I do not like what looks like the exploitation of minors and children. But this is a tradition that was created before modern society, and so, if they don't want to live in "today" then who are we to criticize them. The Swazi's are not the first or last culture to shun civilization, and cling to what brings them comfort. It's just surprising that the "King" is allowed to hoard all the beauties and bounty whilst everyone else seems to languish in poverty. Not much different than a pride of lions. It's not for me, but I don't have to live there. An no, Serengeti, shutting up is exactly how these people got themselves into this and not only have no way out, but beleive that this will enrich their lives rather than just the Imperialistic king. So education, modernization, and decency are not your emenies. Silence is.

Mphatso		03-Sep-2008 13:42
wow! great Africa, u r the best. a person should have identity and culture. in a proud african!

S Dlamini		03-Sep-2008 13:34
ye Nxumalo what are you calling shamefull? its their culture if you dont have a culture just shut up.

Ma'Ed Nxumalo		01-Sep-2008 19:48
This is very shamefull; ladies naked! It's against the will of God and standard principles of humanity. It must definately come to an end.

John		30-Aug-2008 13:58
Awu, yatsho kahle intswakazi phaya. You are right there (Guest) let the people do their traditions and enjoy them so that they can tell their children or generations to come how it is done. Now let us move on, lets teach outsiders about our cultures and as much as we travel to overseas countries we learn about their treasures. In Chine we talk of the Great Wall, lots of interesting about that wall- You go to Germany someone will tell you not to forget to ask about the Berlin Wall- Down under Aborigins? In the Latin America, the Famous Brazilian dance and in Spain the Bull fighting---this world people is amazing and let us just enjoy what other people are doing and not to critisice, lets unite and study what is of benefit to us.

Guest		12-Aug-2008 12:48
Cha ngithi angivumelane nombono obekwe iproud Intombi mayelana namasiko esintu. Okokuqala angixolise kulabo abangalwazi lolu limi engikhethe ukubhala ngalo. Angisho ukuthi uMkhosi woMhlanga ngiyawazi kwelakithi kwaZulu futhi izinhloso zawo zithi azifane nalezo zaseSwatini. Nami ngifisa ukusho ukuthi thina bantu abangama-Afrika asiyekwe siqhubeke senze izinto zethu ngoba nathi asibagxeki ondlebezikhanya ilanga kanye namaNdiya uma benza awabo amasiko. Kuliqiniso ukuthi asidingi imvume yamuntu ukuqhubeka nezinto zezizwe zethu futhi ngisho nalabo abangama-Afrika kodwa asebephila impilo yaseNtshonalanga asidinge mvume yabo. Sengiphetha, awaqhutshwe amasiko esintu sethu futhi siyocela abangaphandle b angagxambukeli kuwo. Uma bengahambisani nawo abangayi ezindaweni lapho enziwa khona ngoba nathi asiyi ezindaweni zabo lapho ubathola behamba phezu kwemililo nokunye nje. Awuqhubeke uMkhosi woMhlanga eSwazini nakwaZulu.

Proud Intombi		07-Aug-2008 12:33
What's all this fuss about whether the reed dance is wrong or right? Why are people acting as though they are the one's being asked to partake in the event? Anyone who has had the priviledge to attend this event should see it as that! A PRIVILEDGE - this is a ritual held dear by the Swazi people - AND ANYONE ELSE WHO ATTENDS IS A GUEST! It's not about porn, it is about sharing different cultures and people aware how different we really are. Gone are the days when African people needed approval or consent from westerners about what part of our culture is appropriate and which part isn’t. The fact that something is different does not mean it is wrong! If you do not understand it, that’s ok. Perhaps you find it hard to grasp the concept of a young girl willingly strolling topless in front of people – let alone looking at her and not getting aroused – let us Africans educate you. A westernised mind finds it hard to look at these things and not attach sexual connotations to it. Western standards are not absolute in themselves and no single culture, religion, opinion or practise is the absolute template of all man kind should be doing. In RSA we like to say live and let live….We are all entitled to our differences…we do not need or want approval (or disapproval) for who we are and the customs we choose to partake in…let African people choose for themselves what makes them happy!

No name		01-Aug-2008 19:31
Let them perve, what's your problem

guest85		30-Jul-2008 17:47
Photography and filming should be banned at this event, unless you are a member of the press with special permission to have a camera. I've heard about all kinds of lecherous paedo men, particularly europeans, making a trip especially for the reed dance for the sole purpose of ogling these young girls.

Guest		15-May-2008 18:45
what does the wemen look like.

michael		15-May-2008 18:44
do you have picturs of the reed dance

Kitso		09-May-2008 10:47
Yeah, Very nice pictures on www.inkosiyami.co.za. From the preparation to the Main event. Thx Denis

Zipho		05-May-2008 12:54
Denis, Thx Great Pictures on Inkosiyami but when will you load the contents?

Zipho		05-May-2008 12:37
Denis, Thx Great Pictures on Inkosiyami but when will you load the contents?

Denis - Lula Technologies		05-May-2008 12:31
Hi All, The Portal of the Zulu Community, Kingdom, Reed Dance, Culture, People, business, Warriors is "www.inkosiyami.co.za". We are currently working on it with a team from the Nongoma Mun and the Zululand DM. The team is lead by Prince Masiko Zulu, who previously worked on Open Africa Project. We are also looking at creating a ICT Centre for Skills Development in the Area. The Website will be launched just before the Reed dance but you are welcome to browse and send me a feedback.

John		03-May-2008 13:49
Say it again Sam, what is this that you are saying?

sam		30-Apr-2008 15:54
a celebration of african culture? amazing stuff! In Somali they have a better one - when you are around nine, they take you, cut out your labia majora, labia minora and sew up the remainder leaving a tiny hole to urinate. they then put what used to be your vagina on a rock to wither and not yetn done, evertime you have sex, your husband must slit you open and resow as well as child birth. culture is a creation of man - birthed to serve a purpose. when a culture runs its due course and becomes irrelevant, we must abscond it. Serving culture for culture's sake is a form of slavery!!

Guest		18-Apr-2008 07:45
There isnt enough sources that show the Reed Dance. Pics across the web are rare. I literally probably have seen them all. I suppose I have to find personal photographers or something. Does anyone her know of an abundance of info and pics on swaziland and the reed dance?

mvelo		13-Apr-2008 23:14
people be very careful with your language because it does carry misguided thoughts. the history dates back before the arrival of settlers in africa. there was no division, hatred, tribalism, aids, hunger, immigrants and political geographical borders. the effect of the scramble of africa (1884 berlin conference) brought about differences in our part of the world. we were infected by politics of separete development. enslaved to capitalism, forced to look to IMF and world bank for approval how we order our lives. all this was enabled by language. let us remember that outsiders view our culture in a negative way. do we say the same about theirs or is it because we were colonised and that every thing about us is wrong? we have already done enough damage to our selves by accepting foreign religion (christianity). western mentality talks about nudity and aids as if they are promoted by our culture. when god (nothing to do with religion) gave us our culture he also instructed us to worship him in our culture. what we are doing today is an insult to him. our culture also enables us to solve our conflicts and disputes. we have handed this power to werstern systems of political set-up e.g courts, voting system, marriage laws. at the end of the day the likes f Ben have the right to talk like this because they see what is contrary to their belief and what as Swazi have lost to werstern criminal minds. the answer is simple , we have to reject wstern ideologies infecting avery sphere of our society. god himself gae us dominion in what happens in our kingdom. in the past this kingdom never had people dying of hunger,aids and women complaining about family structure. time will come when africa will defend its idiology and wealth. i live in the west and there is nothing glorius about it other than a strong currency. the first civilisation was in africa. colonialism also robbed africa of its history. the truth was twisted. for example common belief is that black africans overseas were sold by africans. unfortunately this history is passed on to next generations creating tension towards africans. but who told the story? a safe community was made unsafe through the gospel of lies. the same lie is also providing a solution to thiss problem called forgiveness. africans never said this lie to our brothers overseas. i encourage you my fellow Swazi people to resist this look down on africa culture nonesense.

mvelo		13-Apr-2008 22:11
charity begins at home. all cultures of the world are important and relevent to the time and space of the people it represents. inferiority, slave mentality has tanished many who claim to be civilised. dont be afraid to be who you are for god made you in his own image. catching up with 21st century technology does not dismiss having a culture. one MUST consider social and political development together with economic development as a single unit in laying a strong foundations to build confidence in our people. travelling exposes one to many learning environments. do you know that protitution (visiting a brothel) is legal in the west, as long as it is carried out in private. is that not barbaric? the same is taboo in Swazi. people glorify western culture and mistakenly associate it with industrialisation. how stupid. wake up mafikizolo........

victor		13-Apr-2008 11:06
this issue of swazi being the cutodian of african culture has done more harm to the her people than good,if we tell our selves the truth,you will see that we are lacking behind in terms of development,our people can not communicate with the outside world,we are still talking about siswati in our shools,while other countries are talking technology.Let us remeber that it is ours no onewill take it from us.we should learn more of the outside worl and develope our people.

John		08-Apr-2008 13:30
What can we say Mqabuko, there are people who are there to criticise even if something doesn't deserve critics...

John		08-Apr-2008 12:45
What can we say Mqabuko, there are people who are there to criticise even if something doesn't deserve critics...

Mqabuko		07-Apr-2008 14:29
Thank you John

John		07-Apr-2008 14:05
Umm, that's interesting comments but i'm little worried cause they are about innocent people, especially young proud women who haven't done anything wrong they just enjoying what they love and what they grew up doing...Lets just let the Swazi people practice their culture...hipe this technology was not there to see these pics cause they're there ones which have caused these arguments dating back years down...If one can look at the pics can notice that the women in there are not naked as Ben's eyes are seeing, they are half-naked-you don't see PUNANIs behind those short skirts(unless one imagine otherwise) otherwise if Ben is an African will know that as African we grew up wearing animal skin so we were like half naked then but things changed...that doesn't mean people of Swaziland are alwayslike that, this is happening only and only when there is something called....just forgot the name...come guys lets give these people a break, lets not put them feel ashamed of what they are doing...big ups for Swazi people (both men and women) keep it up...let's see more of you enjoying what your country loves...

Mqabuko		01-Apr-2008 07:51
Ben, I think it is very fair to express yourself as long as you dont insult your opponents or what you do not understand. If the Swazi women are not objecting to this and do it voluntarily how can you call it "oppressive"? Our culture is good for us. An artist will look at a potriat of a naked woman or man as a great piece of art, but a pervet will see porn in it. If you do not like whats happening in Swaziland dont go there and stop checking the pictures from the Reed Dance. Did you know that there is a the same ceremony for men (amajaha) called Lusekwane. Lets do our research please. And this western culture that you worship for "technology" is the biggest distributor of porn not our culture. Our country faces AIDs, our economy is not great, if you want to help in that research and find organisations that can help and start projects to make a difference. Otherwise you are just making noise.

Ben		31-Mar-2008 13:46
For you John, you have a moral problem. How can you bring out South Africa to justify the cultural filth in Swaziland? South Africa is as rotten as Swaziland if not worse.Iam not against culture, that is what many of you do not understand. The Swahili say that when you lose culture, you become a slave; granted. The problem is that people can also be enslaved by culture and this is what is happening in Swaziland. What makes the Swazi culture babaric is the times in which it is existing. I wish that common sense will prevail once again to Mswati and to animists like John, so that they may atlast recognise the other side of public nudity. For an adult to expose the private parts in public, it is sheer madness that culture alone cannot explain. People like you John, who seem to be intelligent but still locked up in these premedieval heathen cultural practices when other societies are advancing technologically and economically, are the vices that have killed our continent Africa for a long time.

John		29-Mar-2008 12:29
Does Ben things nudity and culture cause Aids? No!! Aids is caused by people who are careless about their sex lives...so Swaziland is same as South Africa or any other country, so i see no fuss about this country's people having Aids...so Cindy is right when shim says stop what you are talking about because you are not Mswazi, so practice what you've grown up doing let the beautiful Swazi people enjoy what they love most...its what makes them what they are today...as for Aids its not cause by nudity and Swazi culture and for your piece of information, the rate of rapes in this country are far better that South Africa and other countries..dont you have anything to talk about maybe Ben?

Ben		25-Mar-2008 16:55
All the explanations that seek to defend this babaric culture is bullshit and rubbish. How can you defend this public nudity and state sponsored pornography? All those defending it are nothing but idiots. Just check with the world health statistics. Swaziland has one of the highest Aids infection rates in the world; unfortunately among the young women whose chasitity this stupid culture claims to preserve. This culture has nothing good, but to increase the sexual curiosity of the innocent young ones. To hell with it!!.

Andre		25-Mar-2008 16:10
It is wonderful, like a stone age, culture of wild uncivilised predecessors of man. Naked children, girls, and women simply - females - in vulgar, extatic dance of fertility and sexual readiness for making sex only with the strongest man of tribe and consenquently to give birth to his children - generations of beatiful black humans - like in the begining of human race that started with black women who was the first human on the Earth - long before the white, the yellow and the red races!

Guest		22-Mar-2008 00:42
this is bullshit

cindy		20-Mar-2008 13:05
this is to BEN Firstly if you dont know the history of the tradition please keep your comments to yourself. I am half Swazi and very proud of it. It is a way of life in Swaziland, and i am proud that they are able to keep their traditions for so long, where as most countries have lost their traditions. I am proud to be a Swazi, and if you arent from there i think you should keep your comments REALLY to yourself.

Ben		15-Mar-2008 10:52
This is shameful and babaric. We dont need to be naked in public to show that we are virgins. Are there check-ups during the event to prove virginity? Swazi culture is so degrading, opressive and inhuman for the modern era.

BUHLEBENKHOSI		14-Mar-2008 02:53
PETER AND FRIENDS,THE NEXT IS IN AUGUST,I LEAVE IN UK BUT CAN GLADLY GIVE YOU DETAILS OF A GOOD,LOVELY REAL AFRICAN PLACE TO STAY.ACCOMODATION IS NEVER A PROBLEM IN SD

Peter & Friends		27-Feb-2008 01:14
The die is cast! People of Swaziland we are coming. When is the next one starting and is accomodation a problem?

Serengeti		12-Feb-2008 04:44
People that make and spread uneducated and misconstrued "truths" about my Swazi culture need a nice, tall glass of Shut The F*** Up! The reed dance has been part of Swazi culture since time-immemorial and was put in place to encourage girls to remain pure till marriage. Thats exactly why young virgins dance in front of the nationon that special day, The reed dance, to make thir parents proud and to show their peers that young people can make a difference by the choices they make. My King does not go to the Reed dance to "Pick a wife" and nor do girls walk around naked dancing for him with the hope that they will be chosen as the 50th wife. That really angers me! Get your facts straight before you shoot off at the mouth1 The reed dance has given a lot of young girls reason to remain virgins until marriage...and its doing wonders for the AIDS infection rate in the country. The Zulu's also had a ceremony similar in the past, but it fell away due to "modernisation" However, as of recently, The reed dance is becoming a feature for them. Thats wonderful! Swaziland is showing people the way by not throwing away their identity and pride! I love being Swazi and i am soooooo proud of my people!!

ras eva		04-Feb-2008 14:10
wish i could marry one of these girls

Glen Allen		02-Feb-2008 00:58
Nicely done

Glen Allen		02-Feb-2008 00:55
Nicely done

Doctor_Apocratis		12-Jan-2008 23:07
yeah,there's alot of sites, or u may like videos, u can find a great videos in the youtube.com , simply search for "Zulu", u'll find a video of swaziland reed dance,& more, enjoy it

Guest		08-Jan-2008 18:46
Is there nay other website with plenty of them swazi reed dance photos apart from INKOSIYAM.COM?

Guest		08-Jan-2008 18:44
RAS JUDAH S Beautiful girls. Wish I was Swazi

John		21-Dec-2007 14:49
What a year it was, all the things were interesting and the blog itself was an enlighting one where we learnt everything across the world not only what the Swazi people are doing--so lets keep it up and debate next year in one piece. All i want to say happy Christmas and prosperous new year to all of you and keep well until we blog again next year....Luv ya all John, South Africa

Saubonani		20-Dec-2007 21:43
othe people decion make me half made, why are you amazing our special day culture without relating with those stting full naked at beach or half naked every day in streets country's town or even around working day in your companies and govenment offices. But any way do you have yuor own culture? I wish to remind you that even your beloved ever in aden running out to cover the below part of her body. For us were did we copy if not from our ancestors. If not why not:?

ProudBlackWoman		02-Dec-2007 18:01
People who have no culture / tradition are always the first to try to convert everyone into their sad existence. Westerners have an astonishing divorce rate and are zombified by your media - that is your culture - quit hiding behind Christianity because you actions throughout history are driven by Greed. Stick to yours and we will stick to ours. Why are some people always so bothered by what Africans do, this hatred comes from some insecurity that only you know. African culture is something worth celebrating - that is one thing no one can take away from us. Isiko lethu elethu futhi siyaziqhenya ngalo.

John		30-Nov-2007 12:34
What are you saying kangura?

kangura		29-Nov-2007 14:04
mfalme mbona mazingira ya hivi sasa kiafya huyaoni kama ni hatari kwa utamaduni wako? tafuta welekeo mwingine kuponya watu wako.

pelotshweu Saidi Machibe		28-Nov-2007 10:07
hi tessa am so delighted to see more gallery of gorgeuos girls of swaziland if you can do me a favour and you just forward them to my email, and i wish i can have a girl from swaziland. My name is Pelotshweu Saidi Machibe i come from Malawi and now a live in Botswana. am inlove with thise girls i wish i was a chief

Emil Rinaldi		20-Nov-2007 01:43
Thank you, Tessa, for posting these beautiful photographs. You enlighten and educate those of us who do not have the opportunity to observe this aspect of Swazi culture, as you did! Thank goodness for journalists, chroniclers and photographers such as you. You are recording ancient ways, life and culture which may soon be but a memory. I have seen your photographs and visited your other site. I admire your work. Keep it up!

victor		15-Nov-2007 15:15
swaziland heritage should be looked into andreformed to suit the new generation.

John		10-Nov-2007 12:07
Ey sean, i somewhere agree with you, people are fogetting that Umhlanga is the festive to restore the King mother's house, (whatever it is), but because the king normally announcing his latest catch in this festive people will think otherwise, that the king is there to chose the latest...So we people from outside the country of Swaziland we will think he is doing just that, so your point should be known, thanks for putting some light. BUT...The authourities musn't be mum about this, the king has been blamed for this by many people, that when there is Umhlanga he is expected to chose his latest, its time for the authorities to make this straight and tell the world of how the king is chosing his wives, because we all believe that he is chosing from this festive...anyway good point Sean.

Se�n		07-Nov-2007 20:11
Eitha. These girls are NOT dancing for the king, this is another western misconception. They come together at Lobamba to repair the royal kraal of the Queen Mother, that is the whole point of Umhlanga. It helps the womens regiments to bond well in the spirit of sisterhood. The king is there only to dance at the end of the festival to make the rains come. In recent history Mswati has used the festival to announce his new brides. To suggest he just sees a girl he likes at Umhlanga and then picks her is just ridiculous, he knows well in advance who he wishes to bear his children. From reading the comments it would seem many westerers and even some Africans have forgotten that breasts are merely for feeding babies. Before becoming outraged at Swazi culture perhaps you should learn about it. If you are concerned about the degredation of women look to the terabytes of pornography produced every year in western countries. ie get the planks out of your own eyes before you complain about the splinter in your brothers. Sala kahle

Vus`muzi		04-Nov-2007 15:09
People must know what they are talking about before they comment. Somebody said that we die of AIDS because of our culture for your own information if we Swazi people can follow that culture 100% we can reduce the HIV?AIDS rate to 0. So please people you better talk about what you know best. For us Swazis we are the best in keeping our cultures let so let us stick to them and we won`t lose our identity

Lelethu		01-Nov-2007 15:28
Can someone tell me if are there any films/movies that are locally done in Swaziland? or are there any actors who are known in Swaziland who are based there and act in their local films Pls help

John		30-Oct-2007 06:48
Well, there you have it guys President Rob has spoken...

Robert Mugabe		28-Oct-2007 10:58
These 'cultural' / political prophets and gods of the modern world think they will dictate to us how to practice our culture as well. How absurd! I say, "over my dead body - satisfy all your sexual fantasies your Royal Majesty." Go ahead and select the purest, youngest and prettiest of them all in the 2008 Reed Dance.

Iswati Lemvelo		25-Oct-2007 19:47
Long live the culture of Umhlanga and to all the Lesbian Girthat also participated as they didi it for fun but the King must stop choosing as it is unfair for a young girl to keep her virginity for a old man to break it. If thats culture think twice. anLong live to the Swazilands Gays stay put freedom is comong soon.

Arthur		25-Oct-2007 18:29
It's a kind of slaves marketplace. These children and young girls are treated and learn to treat themselves as a cattle, as slaves - with no dignity, no soul - only naked exposed body; like animals selling themselves and being sold to a tyrant. These who accept this are really naive scundrels - you are not and never will be the king of this poor country using its nation to fullfill his lusts; you may only dream about it.

JOHN		18-Oct-2007 02:45
Black is beauty! No Exemption! I believe this program lets the young ones maintain their bodies, trains them to be bold, and removes social tension. Yet the leaders should not exploit them through tourism and unnecessarily taking many wives. To those who think it is bullshit: Africa has the best cultural practices. Had it not been the infiteration from foreign continents, such festivals and practices have excellent results. Young ones are encouraged to maintain their bodies, enhance their public performances, and more. I don't think particular one means everything is available for everybody and thus a threat of HIV/AIDS. The organizers should seek the protection of the purpose of the festival by guarding against the influence of outsider that visit, even those indegens that come from outside to participate because they have been exposed to different unwholesome practices. BRAVOOOOOOOOOOO! AFRICA

YALEDI TAMALY		04-Oct-2007 13:08
I LOVE SWAZILAND SO MUCH KEEP IT GALS UR SO PRETY I LOVE YOUR CULTURE LONG LIVE

Thembinkosi Funtar		26-Sep-2007 23:58
Iam a proud Swazi studying in Saudi Arabia people are asking me everyday about our beaautiful culture.Many people like this culture only people who hate our country to be a kingdom hate this culture.I was in Swaziland for this year's ceremony.I had friends who visited me for seing our beloved culture.All of them saw that media is playing a big role in destroying african culture as they came with a bad picture of Umhlanga,but they returned with different pictures.It means only people who attended can say something they know Im a proud swazi and Im proud of my king and my culture LONG LIVE OUR KING AND LONG LIVE TO OUR SWAZI CULTURE AND MAY GOD MAKE OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO DESCOVER WHO THEY ARE.

AsanteKotoko		25-Sep-2007 20:16
Nice culture.

victor		23-Sep-2007 07:43
Hi, guys I grew up in former Kwa-Ndebele, and now live in Bryaston, north of Jozi. The culture at home is similar to to Swazi culture, Ndebele people have similar cebration as Swazi nation called iquthe. The difference is that it is not for the purpose of selecting a "wife". And it is quite normal to see a waom topless. My point is there is nothing wrong at least inmy world tosee a woman topless, and it is not wrong, I would actually like to go to nest year reeds dance if my wife allows it. The problem is people look at this as some form of undermining women, but it is not. I would like to belive that we respect our women and love them, I mean the is so much respect in our culture compared to what I see in Jozi, so please Swazi nation, keep the fire burning, and I bet you, all these critics look at you guys and wish that they were a part of your proud nation. And finally, big to these gals, they are hot. And thank for the web page, khosi www.inkosiyam.co.za is still under construction.

khosi		22-Sep-2007 18:30
ZULU Reed Dance available on www.inkosiyam.co.za

John		22-Sep-2007 10:33
Good point otherwise, Ntombiyami

Ntombiyami		21-Sep-2007 17:28
Amongst a lot of things culture is culture. When one chooses to divert to other ways o life it is ones choice. I know the consequences of these traditional acts but lets not forget that this is not something that just started recently. AIDS and fmaily values all those are daily facts of life that all Swazi's have to worry and deal with. But overal I admire the culture it would'nt fly for me but it works for our neighbours over there. I wish the AIDS crisis was different bu it isn't and its obvious that promoting these cultural rituals could contribute to the epidemic at hand. But I love the Swazi culture.

John		18-Sep-2007 13:04
Wow, what a reed dance it was this year-i am sure the King has got what he was looking for. But for the girls, what you are doing is okay and don't let strangers from other parts of this world discourage you for what you are doing. And to those who come here to take the pics for their evil things, that is not needed. These woman do that to respect their culture not for you to come and take the pics and distribute to the whole world and above that for your own monetary benefits. And also to the girls who participated this year, wait until you get married before you can engage yourselves. South African

PRAISE MUCYO FAITH		12-Sep-2007 13:25
thank u for standing in the natural but keep in mind that GOD ALMITHY commanded to have one wife.

Honest		11-Sep-2007 17:38
My name is Honest. The African man continues to subjugate the admirable African female. Too bad but it will continue indefinitely. So sad that there are so many women that support this and other barbarian acts such as female butchery. There are many of our traditions that should be done away with.

Guest		10-Sep-2007 08:43
Hell yes wena skhanyiso plus too this thing of your father is not gonna be okay cause the kids he will be taking soon are gonna be younger than you and lindani and how you gonna respect a man who sleeps with kids younger than his. And for the record this is the last king for swazis.

Swazi		10-Sep-2007 07:37
This years reed dance was SUPER, the turnout was Extremely outsttanding. There were 100,000 girls that registered and danced before the Swazi Nation in full PRIDE as Timbali (which means Flower"). Its evident that the culture is really growing and the people of Swaziland are passionate about their culture and mostly they LOve their King. Thanks to him and the wisdom he was granted by the Lord, he has embraced the culture and his people together because he knows that he is King becuase of the People. Its just a priviledge to be born in this Small Landlocked Country the culture is too beautiful, and maybe you should also attend the major ceremony which takes place between November and December at times going through to january, that one is the Incwala ceremony. Its a marvel to take part in that ceremony. The people of Swaziland are blessed and a huge thank you to everyone who appreciates and speaks well of our culture. From Swaziland we wish all the best.

Bongani		07-Sep-2007 16:43
Hi Everybody Can one tell me guys-how's this year's reed dance doing, how many attended this year, how are the girls feel about this- i really appreaciate what is happening in Swaziland and the people people there must keep it up and enjoy what they are doing- i am sure for them they feel that it must just happen every day. But there's one thing i dont understand- the comment from the person who calls herself as Sikhanyiso Dlamini is "out of order". I so wish to hear constructive criticism comments not hatred comments which by my understanding are from empty minded people. I am not a Swazi speaking brat-but what the country is practising i am proud of it- Wena so called Sikhanyiso Dlamini apologise ngale letter uyi postileyo please, its really uncalled for. Bongani-South Africa

guest		07-Sep-2007 14:01
u have awonderful cultureand wish i wound make it there and witness this superb event.

African girl		07-Sep-2007 07:16
Shame on you so called Skhanyiso. You speak the words of your mother. Life isnt about you, dont forget that to the girl child who eagerly looks forward to the reed dance every year, she does it all to just to catch a glimpse of you, because to her you are everything she'll never be, A ROLE MODEL AND A PRINCESS. So catch a breath sisi and look around you, the world is made of dust a soil. The King your Father that you say you hate, HE is Loved my many, He is the father some girl child longs to have, He is a father. So stop telling the world how and what you think of him, tomorrow might just haunt you and you'll think you've been cursed yet you cursed yourself. This is your culture, EMBRACE IT. To Miss Tessa and everyone who loves culture God Bless You and we surely will have a blast in he years to come for all the cultural events. Thank you Miss Tessa, Im proud of you.

Nyim-asare		06-Sep-2007 13:20
I have never been proud in my life, i have always thought that we were slowly loosing our rich culture, but you have sternly affirm me that,our rich, unsurpass culture is still in existence,anyway i'm from Ghana and resides in the us.

Paul Munyao - Johannesburg		04-Sep-2007 20:07
I did attend the reed dance ceremony on 2nd and 3rd september 2007. This is beautiful culture. Long live African culture. Truth be told - the maidens love this ceremony, they say and shoe it. And the attendance this year 2007 was record high! The reeds dance aint about the King, it is about the maidens and the Queen Mother. And the maidens bringing her reeds to refurbish the windbreak around the homestead. It is not an ocassion for the King to pick a bride. The King participates on the Sunday to appreciate the attendants. He even dances for them on the Monday! Additionally, it is not only Swazi maidens who participate - there were bussloads of maidens from South Africa(Mpumalanga) who attended. FYI, there is a similar ceremony for the men/boys in December which I was told is much much bigger and more elaborate, and in which the King participates fully. Donot just make academic comments and lecture people about culture and style. Tessa, this is a good job. We need more Tessas, especially in Zimbabwe.

temaswati		04-Sep-2007 10:13
wusssssup

sikhanyiso dlamini		03-Sep-2007 10:03
40% of these so called Swazilanders are HIV positive-thanks to a King(my dad by the way) who values the power of pornography masquerading as culture at the expense of education for the girl child.i hate my father for that.

Bongani		01-Sep-2007 15:58
Produly South African I am reading in interest the two women who are defending their country Swaziland from one senseless brother from Zimbabwe who blame king Mswati of being educated overseas and "abuses" women in Swaziland. You go gals! For you my brother from Zimbabwe, you must ask yourself this question? What do you love about Zimbabwe-then if you can have an answer for that, any answer then yu should know why Swazilnaders love themselves and their king. I am proud of being a South African and very much proud of neighbouring a country like Swaziland which still today, practices its tradition and rituals. Contact me at: bngn_fuzile@yahoo.com

Ndaba		31-Aug-2007 02:28
I am looking for a Swazi woman to hook up with . AM based in USA California and will fly to Mbabane to marry her and bring her to the US if need be. If you know someone please foward my details to them. RRNN matebele@comcast.net +1 650 336 3410

Linda Mabaso Ka Nkambule		30-Aug-2007 11:54
I'm coming for the next Umhlanga 2007 is the Year........I'm proud to be a Swati........this is it, why not.............

John C. Davidek		23-Aug-2007 20:49
It's a shame you have so many negative comments concerning this important, beautiful cultural event. Some of the folks writing the negative stuff need to take a sociology class...maybe read up on African history, etc. Having visited Swaziland in 2006, my family and I are very much aware of the beauty of this small nation. The kindness and open attitude of the people would draw us back there again, no doubt about it. We (my wife and our 7-yr-old son), did not have the opportunity to witness the Reed Dance activities, but given the chance we'd most surely want to see it. And yes, there are African queens there! People just don't understand what the word culture implies...it's their loss.

Guest		20-Aug-2007 17:01
Mandla Dlamini KaMphahlele KaSidubela KaSobhuza 1. Thank you Proud Swazi Woman, I am proud of you too.

Proud Swazi Woman		17-Aug-2007 13:46
Thank Miss Tessa for showing the most beautiful side of our lovely, small landlocked country. Be Blessed and do come to Swaziland again. Im sure you'll certainly capture even more exceptional pictures as the number of young maidens attending the event keeps increasing by the years. You are a Jewel to our country.

ngahu		16-Aug-2007 13:40
this are lovely pictures, when is the date for the next reed dance? i'd like to be there in person

muziwakhe mthiyane		15-Aug-2007 17:41
helloh sur/madam, i am Mzo from Empangeni {KZN}i'm 21 years old and i'm doing B.Com Bankink in University of Zululand so i just want 2 i like what is happening in Swaziland and i wish and i like to know that how can i find the wife there? when i'm through with my Degree let me say anytime if i need wife how can i get her?.

muziwakhe mthiyane		15-Aug-2007 17:39
helloh sur/madam, i am Mzo from Empangeni {KZN}i'm 21 years old and i'm doing B.Com Bankink in University of Zululand so i just want 2 i like what is happening in Swaziland and i wish and i like to know that how can i find the wife there? when i'm through with my Degree let me say anytime if i need wife how can i get her?.

David D		15-Jul-2007 17:47
Kudos to you and to the swazi people for keeping culture alive...they may have their problems when we look at it from the european books view but they behold what we all secretely wish could happen to us: an opportunity to celebrate our women folk that epitomize the essense of society and oil a nation. From Somalia...that was a wonderful piece of work to bring the apex of the substance of a nation to the world.

Me		01-Jul-2007 01:51
No wonder u dying of AIDS morons.

Guest		12-Jun-2007 17:41
ABUSE! YOUR ASS.ARE YOU ABLE TO READ SILLY,ALL WOTS BEEN WRITEN DOESNT CLICK TO YOUR EMPTY SKULL.GET A LIFE,FIND MENTAL HELP,U NEED IT !(nurenga)

nurenga		12-Jun-2007 13:39
hey all i cant beleive this is still happening in the world. i cant just understand that a king will subject his citizens to such abuse.

Guest		09-Jun-2007 14:27
Tibiyo zaseLangeni. Thank God you gave us a unique culture that we will cherrish forever. Our African brothers & sisters who don't want to keep their culture in favour of the whiteman's culture are lost forever. This stupid person from Zimbabwe who does not want white people in her country but want to practise their culture gives me a shock. In Zimbabwe there are Zimbabwean-Indians who support their fellow Indian Cricket team even though they have never been to India instead of Zimbabwe. This proves that they know who they are and they keep their culture - dark or blue. This person (Zimbabwean writer) said the King's children don't partake in the reed dance. This is lie because they are the ones who led this event hence we have it mentioned that those with red feathers in their hair are princesses. I am disappointed because in the world ONLY THE BLACKS are the ones who leave their culture in favour of the other races' culture. Please you stupid Zimbabwean go for farming in the land that President Mugabe gave you than to criticize our culture.

BU		09-Jun-2007 09:33
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY SISTER LASIBANYONI FOR YOUR MASSIVE REPLY.I CAN PLEDGE YOU THIS MORON IS NOT WORTH IT.I AM A SWAZI LIVING IN ENGLAND,U CANT IMAGINE HOW THESE ZIMBABWENS THINK THEY ARE SUPERIOR,NOT TO MENTION THIS ONE WHO SAY SUCH THINGS ABOUT MY COUNTRY,THE ONLY THING HE IS ,IS AN ASSHOLE WHO DOESNT EVEN HAVE A COUNTRY TO FALL BACK TO.

La Sibanyoni		07-Jun-2007 11:23
An open reply to :muzvinaungwaru wemuZimbabwe First of all are a a lifeless bustard! Do your research right before u make comments..Swaziland's economy is still on the rise and its on a positive side of prosperity. As swazis we are far much comfortable, happy and privileged to have an absolute monarch and unique culture. What happened to your native Zimbabwe, i dont wanna even go any further, You are from a country whereby your voice can be hardly heard, you are from a state whereby your own natives Zimbabweans have shunned their roots and are scattered all over the world seeking asylum, out of anger, selfishness and being a nuisance thus putting the world out of budget. Blood is being shed on a daily basis and the situation has reached a crisis point and the Zimbabwean authorities(if ever u have any remaining) must restore the rule of law. For fucks sake clean your own backyard and help, relieve your own country for aristocracy and scrupulous manipulators. We are so proud of our culture, our king does not make decisions, he consults the whole nation for their views, before making any changes or new laws within the kingdon, "How unique?" We, the swazi nation are very much comfortable about the polygamous regime as long as we are taken care off and fortunately enough, we are considered as pillars and cornerstones of the kingdom. You seem to be a coconut bustard, u are a confused loner, who has been brainwashed by the press and im worried about your level of intelligence. Hiv aids its an epidemic, its all over the world and im so happy to say that my country has made drastic changes to fight the virus, at least we have centres which help by giving the anti retroviral drugs for free compared to your situation in Zimbabwe. I have been there , did my research and i know what im talking about. In your country, there is nothing of that nature and your people are dying like flies, especially those in the opposition party, if u are not a zanu Pf member, there is no medical attention at all. So on behalf of the swazi nation, pick up your bits and pieces and put your act together. We love our culture and together we shall stand!! Oh by the way the naked girls(virgins) show purity, unity and wisdom...together we shall stand and fight the virus.. P.S I am looking forward to attend this years reedance as im still pure and havnt lost my innocence. Im so proud to be one at this age and point in time. Im so glad to be in this gallery, it is giving me the Renaissance of being a pure African child. anyone who wants to know more about the next event, holla me on dido2000@hotmail.co.uk , later then..

TutAnkhAmoun		04-Jun-2007 11:34
Saluites from Egypt to the brave Thomas kyalo, go on boy.we are africans,& we are proud of that, & tell the west that their culture was built on our blood,our fortunes,(swiss canal,the gold ,the oil,slavary,,,,etc). The white gun(england,france,italy,spain,netherland,belgium,and lastly the USA)killed some people!do u know how many?then they asked us to stop dancing under the flag of humanity! So plz let's say to them 'f u c k you '

Lloyd		01-Jun-2007 01:37
Well my girl friend is Swazi and I am East Indian... I just love it all.... one must appreciate the beauty in God´s lovely creations... so Mswati even if your kingdom goes broke, and i seriously doubt it will, pleeease bossman, don´t stop the Reed Dance, on behalf of all straight men!!!

Thomas Kyalo - Nairobi.		29-May-2007 12:14
Tessa, you know what? you've done us proud by bringing this photos to us. They are really cute. Its true Swazis are very rich in culture and from Nairobi , Kenya we say BRAVO to all Swazis who make this event a success. Its true many people dont realise the importance of such an event, hence keep on critisising our beautiful african culture. By the way do you know the American's are cultureless? Let them tell us, even the simple defination of culture....you will be surprised what you will hear from them.. culture if fighting Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Sunctioning Sudan, Silencing Gaddaffi and Chavez. Very proud they will answer.

muzvinaungwaru wemuZimbabwe		23-May-2007 14:12
This is bullshit man, in this day and age there are still women whos tsill want to be used just to further an individual's interests? All women are the same, the fact that this silly practice was started decades or centuries ago doesn't make it right, could Mswati use all this money 4 something else, an industry to create employment, no wonder why Africans remain poor, most kings, leaders and presidents are full of themslves Culture is good but its also dynamic, we move with time. if something is being practised, when its time is up for example this whole bullshit becasue there is Aids now, as a leader you campain for it to be stopped, what the fu*** do you gain from seeing women naked At times women think this far and not that far, money is nothing, what do you gain from getting married to a wealthy man that you know has plenty plus wives and in most cases he will never cersisfy you, imagne by the time he gets to 70 how many will you be, age will have taken its course and unless if uses juju otherwise this whole nosnsense should be stopped and all that money should be put to better use than this, who ever supports this nonsense is equally un-educated, ignorent, an ancient mind that does not accept positive change and stupid in mind doess not think beyond all this rubbish, do you think Muswati was going to allow his children to be used like this, him being an educated pimp from abroad knows what wrong and whats right, how come his own children do not ware this shit? why did 2 of his wives runaway if life was all rossy at the palace living away all those BMWs? Find one of the runnaway wives and ak them. Already the two woman complain that they where not getting their condugal rights and they where still 9, and he is 35, how about when he gets to 50? How many wives will he have? will he be able to round up all of them? What do you think of a King who sends his guards to adbuct a school going child so as to be come a wife? He has violeted that child'e right to education and the right of being a child, come on women, how can you live all this bullshit to be going on and on I am mad about this Angry one

Dorota		21-May-2007 22:00
Greetings from Poland!! Live long!!

Peter Madlem		18-May-2007 13:32
Sorry about posting my comment three times!

Peter Madlem		18-May-2007 13:30
I like these pictures. They make me happy. I want to go visit Swaziland. My freinds from Nigeria turn me on to this web site. They are leaving here soon to return to Nigeria and I am going to miss them so much!

Peter Madlem		18-May-2007 13:30
I like these pictures. They make me happy. I want to go visit Swaziland. My freinds from Nigeria turn me on to this web site. They are leaving here soon to return to Nigeria and I am going to miss them so much!

Tinuade Subair		18-May-2007 13:30
suprising that swaziland still have their reed dance festival.. Its wonderful that swazi's still love and practise their culture. My friend Peter Madlem just posted a comment"We love you and we will miss you too"

Peter Madlem		18-May-2007 13:23
I like these pictures. They make me happy. I want to go visit Swaziland. My freinds from Nigeria turn me on to this web site. They are leaving here soon to return to Nigeria and I am going to miss them so much!

Herve Blandin		08-May-2007 04:03
I am really ashamed of the venom, bigotry and ignorance shown in so many comments. This is one hell of a gallery. God forbid we all look the same and adopt the culture and prejudices of one culture, but indeed celebrate our unity as human beings thru so many diverse cultural peculiarities.

Guest		04-May-2007 04:49
Great Pics, Great!! Glorious celebration of African culture and beauty. Takes me back to the glory days of the 70-s when Africans were beginning to undergo a rebirth in awareness of their culture and new pride in themselves and in their traditional ways of life. They looked, felt and lived their traditional beauty, then (Festac 77 comes to my mind). Unfortunately that attitude is now again lost to most African countries, adopting instead a stupid (and as most people world wide by and large now realize) ancient and out dated sense of morality. Totally ignorant of the knowledge of what is decent and what actually isn't. Thinking that they are following a "European right path", as has been drummed into their heads by colonialism and freakish western religious dogma. From these pics I am so happy to know that not all African countries have gone down hill like the rest of them.

Amby		03-May-2007 19:35
THANKS GOD THAT I AM NOT THERE BECAUSE I WOULD BE IN JAIL ..CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WITH THERE NIPPLES LIVE HAHA .MUCH LOVE.........

Mhofella - ZIM		02-May-2007 12:47
Ok Ok, this is nice, good to see you guys still stick to culture, most African countries have taken Western styles

Guest		25-Apr-2007 01:17
Wonderful to see such beauty. Sorry some people are stupid, ignorant and ugly. There are more of us, then there are of them. Thanks for the pictures.

APRIL WRIGHT		16-Apr-2007 22:46
WOW THATS SOO.. YEAH... YALL NEED TO PUT SOME FREAKIN CLOTHES ON!!!!

BUHLEBENKHOSI		11-Apr-2007 22:34
WE SWAZI'S KNOW ALL ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AND WE WILL STAND STRONG FOR IT NO MATTER WOT YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE SAY OR THINK.WE ARE A STRONG NATION AND WE STAND BY OUR CUSTOMS AND CULTURES.I SPECIFICALLY ATTENDED THE REED DANCE FOR 13 YEARS,MORE THAN 8000 GIRLS ATTEND EVERY YEAR.THATS THE PRIDE OF SECURING YOURE VIGINITY UNTIL MARRIEGE AND OF COS KEEPING THE SWAZI CULTURE.ONLY PURE VIRGINS GO THERE.WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT AIDS,WHICH COUNTRY IS NOT FACED WTH THAT CRISIS.MY COUNTRY IS A TINY STILL DEVELOPING KINGDOM, NOTHING COMPARED TO THE BIG RICH COUNTRIES FACED WITH AIDS.THATS IGNORANCE AGAIN!!NO WORD TALKED BY ANYBODY WILL DISCOURAGE US,WE ARE STRONG,WE ARE SWAZI'S.PHAMBILI MASWATI NGEMASIKO ETFU,BANEMONA!!!!!!!!

Thembinkosi		01-Apr-2007 21:17
This is not good guys we must follow the flow of water, what I see in this pictures is the barbarian practice to expose the woman naked!! Mswati please motivate the young girls to get good education than to motivate them to get naked for u're own interest. THIS IS A NEW COUNTRY!!!!

Girl		24-Mar-2007 01:32
hie y'all no offence and i'm not dissing the Swazi culture and all but why do they have to tak the small ute girls as well, and i mena the King is not possibly going to see al th girls and marry them, there is actaully a 0.0000001% chance of most of them to get picked by the king. Also i know this is your culture and all but why does it have to be girls dancing around bare chested for all to see, I THINK ITS JUS WRONG. anyway some ofthem girls are really preeeeety and worth more thanthat, ths jus akes away a girls self respect and dignity. Nice country though.

TUT ANKH AMOON		08-Mar-2007 09:30
wowww..,,PLZZ I WANT TO KNOW THE TIME OF THIS CELEBRATION, I MUST TRAVEL TO LOVELY SWAZILAND,I'M SURE THAT I'LL FIND MY QUEEN THERE, PLZZ NOTIFY ME ,,, I'M FROM EGYPT .MY E-MAIL DOCTOR_012@YAHOO.COM

Nedum		22-Feb-2007 21:01
PLEASE HOW CAN I SEE 2006 PICTURES AND THE CALEDAR FOR 2007. GET ME MORE PICTURES OF THIS EVENTS DATING BACK TO YEAR 2000 I WILL APPRECIATE IT. WAOO!!!!!! THIS ANGELS ARE SMASHINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND I'M DREAMING OF MARRY ONE OF THEM AND TAKE HER TO NIGERIA AND I INTEND TO VISIT WHEN NEXT YOUR FESTIVAL WILL HOLD KEEP ME POSTED........SWAZI BABES I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!! MY AFRICAN ANGELS

Stanley Estee		21-Feb-2007 00:10
Who said That Africa do not Have Queens. Waoo these are African Beautiful ANGELS .....!!! Notify me when next the Reed Dance will begin I Will Love to see things for my self. Do Not forget that Culture is as old as mankind and must be treated with respected, the Swazis need a break from jealous and naive people. please let them be with their CULTURE. THE GIRLS ARE SMASHINGLY ORIGINAL AND BLISSFUL.............LOVE YOU ALL. SOME DAY I WILL BE IN SWAZILAND TO BE PART OF THE REED DANCE.......!!!!!!!! BEAUTYFUL ANGEL LOVE YOU ALL

Stanley Estee		21-Feb-2007 00:00
Who said That Africa do not Have Queens. Waoo these are African Beautiful ANGELS .....!!! Notify me when next the Reed Dance will begin I Will Love to see things for my self.

kuda		14-Feb-2007 10:14
What a culture. The next time that event takes place can someone please tell me i need totake a visit and see for my self

guest		11-Feb-2007 10:51
Wow, Swaziland has really nice girls!!

sammy		29-Jan-2007 13:04
I think you all miss the point this ceremony is for the King and only for his satisfaction since he is the one who gets to take the pussy home at the end of it all, and about culture? what does that have to do with a country that has the highest poverty rate and aids rate while a king satisfies his horny actions with small girls some who are underage.

Guest		26-Jan-2007 03:48
I am proud of you Swazis. You make all Africa proud. Hlalani lizigqaja!

ebosj		16-Jan-2007 15:20
Please how can I get hold of last year's reed dance photos. any ideas?

White fella		19-Dec-2006 23:54
Swazi women are so beautiful. Whate a wonderful proud culture you have. Respect!

james		14-Dec-2006 04:00
I am sure some of the young ladies who took part in the event would have been painfully shy but still went ahead in the name of culture and their traditions. That has to be admired. They chose to be confident of their own bodies. How "covered" up your traditional garb does not mean how "civilised" you are. The ancient Egyptians considered nudity in many aspects of their lives as normal and even to be expected and they are one of the most civilised people on earth. Down with racists and bigots.

GCEBILE		07-Dec-2006 12:56
SWAZI PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL..U ARE ALL PRINCESSES GIRLS .I WAS A PART OF IT AS WELL AT SOME POINT.SO I KNOW WAT BEING PROUDLY SWAZI AND BEAUTIFUL MEANS...I LOVE MY PEOPLE AND MY LOVELY COUNTRY.AND ITS CULTURE.

dido		01-Dec-2006 17:31
that pink ASS creature is just so lifeless and still willing to know where he descends...NO WONDER HE CALLS US MONKEYS....We proudly swazilander's and the more we are cricticised the more we unite..Nobody we'll ever take our culture and pride away...They tried for all these years but they failed.. Ayidlali IMFUKWANO... Long Live Swaziland........

Guest		01-Dec-2006 11:52
This yellow ape who dares to call Swazis or rather Africans apes and his joke of throwing a banana into the midst of a Swazi crowd rather nauseates me. He or she makes want to hate all white people with a passion. If Africans are apes how come they allow them to help intheir clinics and hospitals because in Swaziland there has been an exodus of nurses to countries outside Africa or should I say CIVILIZED countries where there are no bushes. I wish to see this UGLY YELLOW MONKEY so that I may show what being a real person is and not an ape as he or she calls Swazis

Guest		01-Dec-2006 11:35
I am a Swazi by birth and I like being Swazi and African. So if someone calls all Africans animals I feel offended. I also wish to see his or her parents to see what kind of people they are to have brought up this animal. My message to the guest who said we Afircans are animals is this; your blood is red like ours and to show that we are people we have a language. Also the fact that we are black makes us not to be vulnerable to skin cancer since the melanin protects us unlike THE WHITE PERSON who thinks he or she is better than us "niggers". As a Swazi I love my culture and there is nothing anyone can say to make me change my mind

Guest		29-Nov-2006 16:55
How I would love to attend this event. Make you proud to be African and in Africa.

Joe		26-Nov-2006 17:23
sigh There are always idiots who ruin something good for everyone. Why do we pay them so much attention? They are not worth it! To all Swazi people worldwide, thank you for staying true to your traditions and keeping your culture alive. Don't change just to please outsiders. Change only if you feel the need yourselves. I say this as a European-American who respects you immensely. Be proud of who you are. And to the racist pigs who smear their verbal feces across this board - you are the true subhumans. Nature will deal with you.

Siphephile		26-Nov-2006 14:14
As a Swazi I condemn what this bullshitting un-earthical creature who has the bloody guts to call the SWAZI Nation as Monkeys.Who the hell do u think u are? Swaziland is one of the least countries in the world that even today, respects, honours and value its culture and oral traditions!!! U are just a life-less kunt!! Well I don't wanna be stressed by this stupid, yellow cripping bustard, who doesnt even know what africa is! As a woman at this point in time, being exposed and still willing to learn more about my culture I did benefit a lot from the Umhlanga ceremony.It has taught me, respect, love, morals and principles. Being part of this tradition is all about drawing border lines within you, being competitive in whatever you do i:e, You would't want to lose your virginity, get pregnant whislt your family siblings or friends are still capable of attending the reed dance.The moment the right time comes, u recieve blessings and the honour will always be there up until you die, u also have the pride and dignity wherever u are. AIDS is everywhere,its an endemic, epidemic and pandemic....But it is an inspiration for me to see the swazi nation, trying by all means to tackle down this deadly virus using every weapon they come across with...IN THIS CASE CULTURE. Swaziland's HIV RATE HAS DECREASED DRASTICALLY. The way the world media has poisoned you fellow reader worries me a lot...has anybody seen the world media saying someting +ve about any african state...It hardly happens, they just stick in that particular country's weaknesses. LONG LIVE SWAZILAND!!!

Guest		24-Nov-2006 16:55
BOY OH BOY, theres a lot of niggers there!! Enough to make a Tarzan movie. Nigger truly are indeed an ugly race of people. That place looks like Planet of the Apes. If I was there I'd start a riot by throwing a banana into the crowd. LOL, but really, nice pics. I am the first to say, I truly appreciate pictures of animal life of all kinds. Thank you. OOGA BOOGA!!!!

Andrew		13-Nov-2006 11:27
Andrew-TZ Thats great culture in world history.We ask the King of Swazi to bring this cute girls in Tanzania also!!

Josephy		08-Nov-2006 08:27
Swazi People, You have a great culture. God created us naked. You simply are doing the way God wanted it to be. The Queens are looking great. Go on and preserve your tradition. Josephy

Makhosini Dlamini		28-Oct-2006 16:39
Yes they have a well preserved culture but what if they slightly increase the lenght of their skirts at the back.AMASWATI AMAHLE.

Teekaii0		21-Oct-2006 01:38
Phela vele!

Guest		19-Oct-2006 18:45
NjengeliSwati ngitsi maye mahle emaSwati. Im loving my culture people

Guest		11-Oct-2006 10:08
The Umhlanga Reed Dance is a unique cultural event that will ever be there every year. This is an event that you will understand better once you attend it, thereby having a chance of talking to the parents and the maidens themselves. The big problem is the distortion of facts by the media. Black people are always against their own culture unlike the whites, Indians and Asians who practise their culture and tradition proudly. An example is white tradition whereby men play with a bull, sometimes they are stripped naked or injured infront of the people in a stadium. If this was a black man's thing everyone was going to complain. Most critics here are (black) Africans who think that because they are educated they shouldn't stick to African culture and they regard themserves as being somewhere inbetween the blacks and white. Aids should be taken seriously than what we write here - Kenya had the highest Aids/Hiv statistics in the world some time in the 1990's. Did Kenya have such an event or a king? Swaziland is hard hit but how far away are all the (black not Arab) African countries? Kenya is now better and I congratulate them. How many blacks today are prepared to take an AIDS/HIV test in all the African countries that don't practise this kind of tradition. How many blacks want to be black? This year we had a number of whites who were participating in the Reed Dance who now understand the whole process as they underwent it. These whites paused for a picture with the king and now I predict that they are going to make films or write books about this event that (blacks) you and me are going to buy. I would like to thank the Nhlangano AIDS Testing Treatment Information and Counselling Centre for attending the Shiselweni Umhlanga ceremony, testing and counselling the maidens for Hiv. Over forty-three (43) maidens took the challenge. How many of us Black Africans are trying to get a medicine to cure this disease or we are just lazing around waiting for the Americans, Europeans or Asians to do this for us, as usual. Kind Regards, Sobhuza.

Julie		20-Sep-2006 15:20
this is too good. am really proud 2 b an African. These pictures r really nice. d girls here r all loolking beautifully n wonderfully made.

Guest		20-Sep-2006 15:19
this is too good. am really proud 2 b an African. These pictures r really nice. d girls here r all loolking beautifully n wonderfully made.

Teekaii0		18-Sep-2006 05:39
Some of you need to be schooled about Swaziland, as it is pretty evidant how ignorant you are about this beautiful country and its cultures. The word KINGDOM sparks envy to most...Think about it! TESSA! Your work is breath taking, and your skills temp me to ask you to capture NIAGARA & VICTORIA FALLS.

Jaliya		15-Sep-2006 16:06
Dear Sir/Madam, Your presentation is excellent. As a person who is living in Asian country in the Indian Ocean in the country called Sri Lanka i am very much interested about this cultural pageant. I shall thank you to let me know whether you have the DVD regarding this dance..etc. Please let me know as a great help. Please send me your reply on my e-mail account. jaliyawick@yahoo.com Jaliya

Jennifer		12-Sep-2006 12:21
Swaziland is place of happy people Africa is all about culture I will be happy if my own country Nigeria will try to be in peace like this swaziland so that we can move mountain

Malaika		10-Sep-2006 23:49
And we wonder why Swaziland has one of the highest HIV/AIDs and poverty rates in the world.. Why does this "king" get 13 wifes+ every year. No one is accusing him beating them or mistreating them- but he certainly is mistreating the rest of the people. Why doesn't he throw a celebration in one of the hospitals where thousands are dying with HIV/AIDS? Or better yet spend his money which he spends buying himself and his wifes houses and BMW on ARV(Aids drugs)? Approximately 34 percent of the population that stand unemployed, and nearly 70 percent of the population who live on less than a dollar a day. Many 'women'-better referred to as girls attend the celebration in hopes of becoming rich by marrying the king. Only one girl every year is chosen, only one lucky person to become rich out of the whole 70% poor population. This is what I call a selfish king. And it's not because they are practicly naked that this is immoral. Many African celebrations aswell as Africans themselves<(himba people) are dressed very little but do not teach the things this king does. And lastly it is not because it is "African" to rant on it- look at the american omish and they're teachings..

dennis kenya		09-Sep-2006 10:38
This is trully Africannad swaziland should be proud of the tradtion that they have, and keep it going dont let the world tell you how to leave they have more shamefull acts i will one day be part of this great dance

Senzo		09-Sep-2006 09:11
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have responded positively to our unique tradition which we Swazies are so proud of. It is very encouraging for us Swazies to learn that other people in the world show keen interest in our traditional ceremonies, not because of the tens of thousands of maidens clad in traditional regalia which show most parts of their bodies but because people are amazed by an event that brings a whole country together in celebration and which they want to be part of. I say to all of you "You are most welcome".

Guest		06-Sep-2006 18:21
I wish to point out to all concerned that Umhlanga is not about showing firm tits and ass. It is an insult to Swazies to imply that the young children are there to potray their bodies for this application. It will be highly irresponsible for any parent to expose his/her daughter to this plarform. The Swazies are a unique nation. All must kindly invest time to learn and understand the Swazies and their history. Otherwise, please show some respect and tolerance to other people's way of living.

alf		06-Sep-2006 11:47
i think this guy is just too lucky or there is bila competition there.am coming soon.watch this space

Guest		02-Sep-2006 17:50
great to see so many young girls naked lovely firm tits on show

Yves Dubois		02-Aug-2006 10:32
I am impressed with the beauty and perspective of your Gallery. You capture the mood of your subject very well and you have an excellent way with colour.

mike		31-Jul-2006 07:32
The photos are so good, infact i really like the display. I wish we had a culture of the Swati's. in our country Kenya. Could you please hook me up with a beautiful lady from Swaziland? Mike

Teekaii0		26-Jun-2006 06:46
Usho sibili kewena mabizo! Nothing can ever compare to the rare beauty our country holds.

Themba		25-Jun-2006 22:39
Africa is the beautiful country nothing compare to this

Teekaii0		20-Jun-2006 03:15
What's the point you ask! Try and consult with the elders of Swaziland and there you will find your long awaited answer. Why do you have the bulls running the streets in Spain? I wonder if you will be able to catch my drift here????

Kirk Milmer (Spain)		08-Jun-2006 15:32
I'm told King Mswati get to add yet another virgin to his plentiful wives every year at these 'so-caaled' ceremonies. What's the point. Business or pleasure? Is this culture or an occassion to gratify the king's whim? Who be the judge? Thumbs down from me!

Prince Verissimo		06-Jun-2006 18:59
Africa the Land of beauty and culture. Where else in world can you see such rich culture? But at the same time , polygamy should be eradicated because the women and children that suffer in the long term. Stay Blessed Africa

Teekaii0		25-May-2006 19:06
It is all about culture and tradition, so if you are not Swazi let alone African, you wont see the beauty, instead you will have something silly or mindless to say. Some just feel bad that Swaziland is out of reach for them, now that works for us!Mahle emaSwati akitsi!

phansi mswati, phansi		21-May-2006 02:04
Yes, a superficial look at the imbala (flowers of the nation) wouldn't tell you anything about the culture of poverty in Swaziland. With 42.6% HIV/Aids (prenatal testing), 70 -80,000 orphans, 69% unemplyment, 66% of the population living on less than US$1 a day, the palace and wealth for the chosen fiance (liphovela) is a fantasy. The beauty is not in the body but in the perserverence that these young girls will need to survive in Mswati's culture of oppression. And be certain a girl's family is fined one cow by the local chief if she does not attend the dance.

kenyantic		13-May-2006 00:13
i wantb to marry a swazi princess or woman am a proud african contact me

kenya		13-May-2006 00:09
God is great and has blessed africa with all this beauty we love u all

TONI		25-Apr-2006 20:47
MAN I WISH I WAS OVER THERE IN AFRICA ALL THOSE PRETTY VIRGINS

jimmy		04-Apr-2006 12:16
Some of the skirts are kind of short. Do they wear anyundergarments under the short bead skirt?

Pure Swazi		28-Mar-2006 14:59
Ranga, you are wrong, no one forces the gals to go to such a ceremony. I am a south african and my mother is a swazi due to the riots in SA I was sent to a boarding school in Swaziland and beleive me, the pride that the swazi have about the ceremony and I remember I use to go to the reed dance as well. Some of the gals that I use to go to school with did not like to go and they would not go, no one forces you to go. Its the swazi culture and most of us are proud of it

Ranga		18-Mar-2006 13:26
I thing the king is contributing to the spread of HIV.This must stop,it also exploits young girls.Even if some girls might like it otherts don't but they have no choice but to participate.IT MUST STOP.

Foxy		15-Mar-2006 21:34
This is beauty at its purest. So natural and lacking in self consciousness!

MUFA		15-Mar-2006 13:11
I will be there in Swaziland 2006 to see for my self. King Mswati III go ahead with this noble dance.

Guest		15-Mar-2006 13:06
Wonderful Swaziland, land of unparalleled beauty. Thanks Tessa.

Tagutswa		15-Mar-2006 13:05
God bless Swaziland! Tags running for president.

JIMMIE ROBINSON		21-Jan-2006 20:22
I AM PROUD TO BE AFRIKAN ,I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT IN 06 . JIMMPROSPECT@HOTMAIL.COM

JIMMIE ROBINSON		21-Jan-2006 20:18
I AM PROUD TO BE AFRIKAN ,I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT IN 06 .

Myself		17-Jan-2006 22:15
Has anyone seen this kind of beauty in New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Zurich, etc??? NOOOOOO

Myself		17-Jan-2006 22:13
Viva Africa...I am soooo proud to be an African!!!!!

Mawu		03-Jan-2006 01:59
Cultural diversity is what Mother Nature intended for the planet. The cultures of Africa are wonderful expressions of Nature's diversity and give the Africans a sense of being. The Swasi should exclude all foreigners and Africans who are mentally enslaved to the evils of eurocentricity from their reed dance. The foreign sex addicts seem to have a problem with things the wise Swazis naturally take for granted.

celia von Poncet		10-Dec-2005 08:56
Beautiful. Soth african artist

wahala		07-Dec-2005 13:55
as an African i think that this kind of traditon does dot befit civilization we should do away such traditions ans focus more on how to develop ourselves. its amazing why the king choose young and beautiful lovely girls for marriage, while leaving those that might not appeal no his sex needs. what stops him from choosing them clothed?

Obi-Akpere		03-Dec-2005 18:32
Africa and tradition are just inseparable

Obi-Akpere		03-Dec-2005 18:07
Africa and tradition are just inseparable

Guest		03-Dec-2005 17:58
What a gorgeous tradition! As a Nigerian and an African, I would not hesitate to encourage you (Swazi) to holdfast to your tradition, do not listen to critics. If you lose your tradition, you will also lose a part of your importance.

Guest		14-Nov-2005 19:19
good riddance good riddance we need more whare are they!!

Guest		28-Oct-2005 17:19
i was born in and brought up in swaziland, i understand that these young madiens attend the reed dance of their own free will and are not forced to. It's their way of showing their proud of being the flowers of the natin 'imbali ye maswati' So no one has the right to critise or be disgusted in their culture. i think people should try and understand and learn more bout the swazi culture before they critise it.

Alexander Baldal		07-Oct-2005 03:10
This most wonderfull spontanity and expression of youthfull power is also the outlet for the cramped world we are all forced to live in. Like carnaval in Brazil, every country should have a national party to dance away the frustrations of the capitalistic and religious mental slavery that is imposed upon common people. Thes most lovely girls are the pride of Swaziland and I who is a white man in the Caribbean in a 90% African descended peoples land admire the beauty and the youthfull innocent power of the Zimbabwe girls. Thanks for the great photography.

psych		29-Sep-2005 06:48
Ladies and Gentlemen, we all die one day. But as long as am here, am gonna grab sex, and make my life stretch longer than Giraffe necks. Back to the situ at hand. I think we all know that Mswati is a King among his people. He is the sole provider, protector and care-giver among his subjects. That means he can damn well do anything he pleases, and nobody can touch him. He is much better than anyone of you, in the eyes of God. It was God that chose him and the least we could do is save our stinking breaths with the complaints and the free-stylings. Last time i had an encounter with all of you two bit plaintiffs, you were trying to take the King to court. The King! I mean, he is the Chif Justice, the Commander of the armed forces, the counsel. And what ever made you think that you could do anything? Now, there you go again, Shlock Shlock Shclok, i can't even hear what you're sayin... Just imagine what you would do, if you were I'Nkosi... I would take all the super-endowed yougins for myself. Complacent, ain't I. well, you ain't seen nuttin yet... PEACE BE UPON YO 2.

kariz		22-Sep-2005 15:09
no wonder they have high HIV cases in Africa. It is obvious that this system is outdated and they need to do something to change this.

Benson KENYA		21-Sep-2005 17:41
Thanks Tessa for the beautiful photos.. Swazi you are the envy of the earth. You are beautiful and the innocence just radiates. Your courage is admirable, dont be swayed by those who only think,see,act and feel dirt they are too poluted to even comprehend whats going on in Africa... We love u and you make us proud... keep the tradition and values going...

salas (swazi)		19-Sep-2005 08:53
Listen here This was not started by our king in 1999 It is a culture that started hunreds of yoers ago. nobody forces those girls there thay go by their own will. Oh! you think showing your breasts is nude? what happens in the beaches hhuh! don't you were minnis? stop being ridiculous and stop criticising our culture. This culture presearves girls viginity. so just stop criticising something you do not even know.

khosi		09-Sep-2005 14:27
well said wicked!!!i think its about bloody time people got their heads out their arses and learned to live an let live!do we sit there an criticise other people's cultures...no we dont so i'll thank anyone who has anything mean to say to keep their mouths shut an their opinions to themselves.i am swazi and proud...also want to say thanks to zizi for standin up for us swazi girls.you an i know how proud a people we are as swazi's for our beautiful culture.

Wicked		09-Sep-2005 11:24
I think everyone desserves respect for their culture. So especially the whites this is the swazi culture so the most you can do is respect it. Im not swazi but born there so this is a culture that began from way back with King Sobuza the Fisrt and not in 1999. So if anyone has nothing nice to say about this culture DONT SAY IT! Otherwise let them do their thing as long as it doesnt affect the prices of guava in your country or where you come form. Cheers!

Guest		04-Sep-2005 22:13
zizi I write as a swazi girl living in NYC, Who during my years as a teen participated in this event,for the reasons that : it was my culture, it was MEGA fun,no body forced me to participate, it was just something that came with being a swazi girl and i loved it! If you are worried that we were treated as objects,well then u are wrong.Believe you me all those girls want to be there,it is our pride and we do not regret it.We are certainly not in need of anyone's pity at all.We would never change places with any of you critisizing our culture for a minute.This is something you do not understand, we dont care to explain it to you, it has nothing to do with you, we dont take kindly to yr demeaning comments,we dont even want you to try and understand our culture,you do not add anything to it afterall,but alwayswant to take something. ITS ANNOYING!ENOUGH WITH YOUR IGNORANCE ALREADY. Our King may not be perfect,BUT WE LOVE HIM and are proud to stand at peak of the empire state and declare that WE ARE SWAZI AND LOVE IT!

The King		04-Sep-2005 04:46
Its good to be the king

Guest		02-Sep-2005 06:16
I find it really sad that people should be so crass as to turn what was a photographic celebration of a vebrant and rich culture into something so base. Who do you think you are - pointing your finger from across the ocean, achieving nothing except to show off your ignorance. Come post comments on this culture when you have lived their life and truly understand their values.

swazi pearl		31-Aug-2005 16:11
if you moved to swaziland mad monk that dream could be a reality...just think, as many women as you want at your beck an call!!!

Mad Monk		31-Aug-2005 13:25
Wish i was the Swazi King, How luckier can it get! with such a tradition

Guest		30-Aug-2005 21:14
The king is just a self-serving pervert that started this 'tradition' in 1999. The girls don't' have a choice. Andrew Meldrum in Ludzidzini, Swaziland Tuesday August 30, 2005 The Guardian Zanele Dube flashed a gleaming smile as she led 30 girls in a rhythmic song and a hip-swaying dance. Wearing little more than wide, beaded belts, brightly coloured sashes and a few feathers, the young women all beamed with happiness. "This is our big day, the Reed Dance," said Ms Dube, 24, as she shepherded the younger girls into a line. "This is a celebration of our culture and we are very proud. We girls are encouraged to take care of ourselves. We are encouraged to stay girls and not to let others pressure us into sex." Having performed in dances since the age of 15, she blew a whistle, and led the younger girls towards the stadium where they would dance before Swaziland's King Mswati III. This sight of thousands of bare-breasted virgins dancing before their king and his warriors is one of Africa's great traditional spectacles. But the Reed Dance is also a chance for the 37-year-old king to take a wife from more than 20,000 dancers, as he has done every year since 1999. Critics say the ceremony has degenerated into little more than a beauty pageant, and does little to address the status of women in a country with the world's highest rate of HIV infection. "The Reed Dance has been abused for one man's personal satisfaction," Mario Masuku, the leader of a banned opposition party, told Reuters. "The king has a passion for young women and opulence." There is little sign of King Mswati moderating the practice. Last year he chose the winner of Miss Teen Swaziland for his wife, and he is expected to announce his new selection this week. As absolute monarch of a country where women have few legal rights, he cannot be refused. In 2002 when the king chose a teenager for a wife, his emissaries abducted her from her school. The girl's mother began a lawsuit alleging kidnap, but royal representatives argued successfully in court that the king by tradition has the right to select wives at his pleasure. Women are minors under the law, and cannot have bank accounts or sign binding legal contracts, so the opportunity to become a royal wife with one's own palace and BMW is attractive to many. The country is stuck in poverty with 66% of the 1.1 million population living on less than a dollar a day. A third are dependent on international food aid. Last week, unaccountably, the king decreed the end of the umchwasho, a ban on sex with teenage girls. He initiated the rule in 2001, stating that all teenage girls had to wear large woollen tassels around their heads to signify their virginity. The tassels were said by some girls to protect them from unwanted sexual advances. But the king was among those who broke the ban and had to pay cows as penalties for having sex with teenage girls. Tradition counts for a lot in Swaziland and the previous king, Sobhuza, had more than 70 wives and 400 children. King Mswati is following in his father's footsteps and has taken 14 wives since he came to power in 1986. The 20,000-plus "national flowers", as the young women are called, have participated in an eight-day ritual in which they hiked through the night before cutting and bundling reeds they presented to the Queen Mother, ostensibly to help her repair her house after the Swazi winter. The climax was yesterday's dance. Sporting a boyish grin, the king was loudly cheered by the assembled dancers. He presents an affable image and is generally popular. But trade unions and civic groups criticise him for entrenching his absolute power, barring political parties and splashing out on jets, cars and palaces while his subjects remain in poverty. The mass event also highlights how Swaziland is struggling to cope with Aids. Nearly 40% of Swaziland's adults are infected with HIV, according the United Nations. Most public education is carried out by non-governmental organisations, such as the Aids Information and Support Centre, whose counsellor, Jester Khumalo, was at the dance preaching a message of abstinence to the youngsters using a loudspeaker. "I've been with the girls all week and I've been telling them to protect themselves until they get married, she says. "That way they can stay safe from Aids. The Reed Dance is a very good place to send that message because all the girls are here. Traditions like the Reed Dance can be used to fight Aids."

khosi		30-Aug-2005 15:50
i dont think he'd taste that nice to be fair...i most certainly would not want to eat any part of him!!!but i'm all for making women equals!!!fat f-ing chance

Guest		30-Aug-2005 14:24
They should roast and eat the king, give the women equal status and become part of the world community.

Guest		30-Aug-2005 14:24
They should roast and eat the king, give the women equal status and become part of the world community.

khosi		30-Aug-2005 14:12
as a swazi i find it rude an uncalled for that people can look at a picture and think "underage girls" and fail to see the beauty behind a tradition that has been there for years and years.i am extremely proud to be a swazi and hold our traditions very close to my heart,so 'just sad' you can piss right off because thankfully we dont do these things for morons like you!!!

Guest		30-Aug-2005 09:16
"The people in the photographs were not forced or coerced" Maybe not the ones in the photo, but last year the Swazi king had an underage girl he fancied abducted from her school so he could "marry" her. Now this is a culture I get right behind.

Girls are pretty		30-Aug-2005 08:37
Just Sad : You might want to check your rectum for rods, poles, sticks, bugs, or other unwanted objects. I think there's some in there. Guest (30-Aug-2005 07:05) : Please don't lump all of us in with the Bush-tards. It hurts our feelings.

Guest		30-Aug-2005 08:24
Absolutely, rich culture, retention of traditional values. I also don't see the need to point out that they are not fully naked, makes no difference - what's wrong with the human body. Keep in mind that with a high AIDS infection rates, and grinding poverty endemic, this tradition will attract opprobrium (wrongly) from those who (rightly) wonder why the king lives such an affluent lifestyle

Guest		30-Aug-2005 07:05
American retards always want to impose their "righteous" values on the rest of the world under the guise of religion or moral values or "pax americana". Why do you think there are so many tin-pot dictators in the world that hate America? It has plenty to do with the attitude of people reflected in the posts here who want to judge culture and society from one angle and impose "superior" American values upon it. The people in the photographs were not forced or coerced, so mind your own f-ing business, retards!

Guest		30-Aug-2005 06:13
Just sad, You are a fucking idiot. Signed, You're a moron.

Just Sad		30-Aug-2005 04:56
Well, this is nice. Pictures of girls who are obviously underage. This is just sick. I'm not talking about the ceremony, since Political Correctness decrees that we are expressly forbidden to judge other cultures. I'm talking about the judgement of the author in posting them in public on the internet. Did any of these girls sign nude model releases? And how can you have a legally binding nude model release with an underage girl?

Raj Corbett		30-Aug-2005 03:16
Same as "Mardi Gras" and other things that we consider as best of our civilizations. Why bother about pointing out the speck in others eyes, when you have a stick poked into your eye?

mike		29-Aug-2005 00:25
well of course right and wrong exist, but please explain why this ceremony is bad. They were not naked, rather topless, somethting that can be found on most beaches out of the US. The US's contiinued victorian viewing of the body combined with its continued intent to impose its lack of culture on other cultures is something I hope wil reside before we lose mroe of these cultural events.

Chris		28-Aug-2005 21:15
I'm not sure marching a bunch of naked teens down the street is all that cultured. Yeah, I know, you're gonna' say, "Who are we to judge?" That's crap, though. Right and wrong do really exist.

leonard		06-Apr-2005 06:01
This shows as some of our african traditions are dying especially here in kenya swaziland has shown and presearves the rich african culture and heritage.Hope i can get more materials as i research on the african cultures and heritage

Julius Musomba		23-Feb-2005 08:18
This is a culture so rich that the rest of africa should fight to preserve. The west has no moral authority to castigate it and the faces show a people who love and cherish what thy believe! That is the way to go Swazis!

cephas		22-Feb-2005 17:18
this thread just showed me another side of Swazuiland I didn't know, and I was wondering where I can get more info, chat sites, tv screenings etc of Swaziland? Basically I want to know more about it.

Guest		16-Sep-2004 22:51
Vivid. Beautiful. Of interest is that there are officials wearing very starchy 'Western' clothing, maybe of the sort you'd see in Britain. The photographer was obviously flowing with the celebration and not taking a 'stance' that tries to extract something that is not present in the culture--not 'arty.' It carries itself well.

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