Photos from Our World

SWAZILAND

The uMcwasho Ceremony in Swaziland (Part 2)

The girls participating in the ceremony, after having discarded their "uMcwasho" tassels in Lobamba Royal village, have danced on a field near Somholol National Stadium. They are now marched to the Stadium, preceded by groups of warriors. Large groups of men, in their traditional "emabutfo" regiments, carrying large shields and "sakila" knobkerrie fighting sticks or battle axes. They march with the girls into the Stadium, the girls still singing, dancing and blowing metal "police" whistles.

There are hundreds of girls dancing and they are joined by some of the traditional regiments; the King also dances in his Balondolozi regiment. The whole Swazi cabinet may be there, the ministers all in traditional dress with their wives and children. It is an incredible sight, with hundreds of girls singing and dancing until sunset. As in the "uMhlanga" or Reed Dance ceremony, the King could choose one of those girls as a new wife. For the others, they go back to their homes, now free to either take a boyfriend or marry.

If you like to see a photo full size, just click on it;
you can then send it as a postcard by filling in the form underneath it.

Marching in Lobamba	Small girls	Leading the girls	Swazi warriors
Man with shield	Princesses marching	Marching warrior	Leading the girls
Dancing in stadium	Calling the girls	Father and daughters	Girls dancing