Swati Maiden In Traditional Attire For Umhlanga 2019
Maiden doing the Zulu dance at the reed dance festival.

Maiden doing the Zulu dance at the reed dance festival.

The Reed Dance Festival or umhlanga, is a yearly event in Eswatini kingdom, were virginity is celebrated. It represents purity, preservation of culture and promotes HIV AIDS awareness. The ceremony usually takes place first week of September.

Reed dance is a monthly festival in Eswatini that takes place every first week in September. It’s a celebration of virginity and morality. It’s also a time were the King takes a wife from among the maidens.