Reed all about it: the X-Factor reaches Swaziland

The following is from Andrea Wilkinson’s travel blog.

I have arrived at a very special time of year, especially for the unmarried Swazi girls.
Today marks the beginning of the Umhlanga or Reed Dance.

This annual event draws the nation together, reminding Swazi people of their relationship with King Mswati III.

The only way I can think to describe it is like a week-long dance off in the style of an X-Factor competition.

The day of the Reed Dance begins with bathing and grooming prior to the young contenders collecting reeds and appearing before the King and Queen Mother (the equivalent of Simon Cowell and Danni Minogue?)

The contestants wear short beaded skirts decorated with fringes and buttons with anklets, bracelets, necklaces and colourful sashes. Each sash has appendages of different coloured wool streamers; these denote whether or not the maiden is betrothed.

The Royal Princesses (the King’s 13 wives selected from previous competitions) wear red feathers in their hair and lead the maidens to perform before their Majesties.

Each group has its own particular dance steps and song which marks their respect for the Monarch and his mother. Many of the girls carry torches to indicate that they cut the reeds at night. (I’m sure they also come in handy during the countries numerous power cuts!)

The Reed Dance attaches young maidens and young men from across the Kingdom and fosters unity of the clans which characterises modern Swaziland as devoid of tribal differences.

They then go through a selection process until King Mswati III chooses his lucky new bride.

As I drive up towards a remote producer group called Tinsaba located high up in the Mountains near Piggs Peak I pass hundreds of girls on their way to the Royal Residence.

The scenery is breathtaking and the sight almost magical as the sun shines over the mountain tops, and the girls laugh and dance their way along the 300 miles to the King’s Palace.