hehehehe........The 2017 edition of annual Reed Dance has been held, and it was gathered that over 45, 000 Zulu maidens successfully went through ‘virginity testing’ in their districts throughout the province, a rite which started at the Enyokeni Palace of King Goodwill Zwelithini on Friday, September 8.
Virginity
testing (ukuhlolwa kwezintombi ), an ancient Zulu tradition that is
regarded as an important rite of passage to womanhood, was largely
neglected by previous Zulu kings until it was revived by King Zwelithini
in 1984.
Before embarking on the annual trek to Nongoma‚ the
maidens have to be tested by elderly women days before the pilgrimage to
Enyokeni or to the Swazi Queen Mother’s Eludzidzini residence. Those
who pass the test take pride in their status and are lauded by their
community as izintombi nto‚ pure maidens.According to Sowetan, the idea is that by remaining pure‚ the maidens are safe from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, STDs.
Here are photos from the ceremony;
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