Thuli Nhlapo
While most ordinary men shy away from discussing girls’ issues in public, the King of the Zulu nation, Goodwill Zwelithini, and his loyal subjects still believe in the tradition of the annual reed dance where he proclaims girls’ graduation to womanhood.
Traditionally, the king was expected to choose a wife from among the bare-breasted and half-naked virgins on display at the ceremony, but King Goodwill has over the past few years declared that he will not do so as part of his contribution to the fight against HIV/Aids.
This year’s September reed dance marked a milestone in Princess Khonza’s life when, watched by her sisters and thousands of maidens, she laid the first reed at the Enyokane royal residence kraal as a symbol of appreciation and respect to her nation and her father, the king.
In Princess Khonza’s braided hair hung two inflated gall bladders, from a cow and a goat that were sacrificed to the ancestors before the glittering event. “At first I did not want to bathe in the river but elderly women taught me the significance of doing it and a lot of other things while I was preparing for the event in Melmoth,” she said. “For the first time in my life I had to bath with freezing water in the river while 90 maidens watched.”
The 17-year-old princess, who is in grade 12 at a private school in Gauteng, was taken to a chief’s kraal in Melmoth during the week to perform the cleansing and bathing ceremony before the reed dance.
Many of the maidens at the dance believed their reed would break if they lied about their virginity.
“I would come every year to the ceremony because that would prove that I am still a virgin. There are virginity testing sessions in our village but this is the place to display your honesty and to make your family proud,” said 12-year-old Thandeka Mkhinze from Inanda.
Mkhinze’s sentiments were echoed by other maidens taking their afternoon bath at the Imbomakazi river while the long speeches continued at the stadium where Princess Khonza and other maidens were dancing.
“It makes me proud to wear a white star on my forehead and be seen by so many people that I have preserved myself,” said 14-year-old Petunia Buthelezi from Ulundi.
The ceremony is over. Princess Khonza is back at school to answer questions from friends. “I thought it would be difficult but I am amazed because I am not at all embarrassed. It is my culture and I am proud of it,” she said.