Buganu makes them happy!
HLANE – Threats of a storm did not dampen the spirits of hundreds of Swazis who went to the annual Buganu (marula) festival at Hlane Royal Residence yesterday.
It had been predicted that Cyclone Irina would reach Swaziland by 2pm yesterday, raising doubts about whether the second leg of the annual ceremony would go ahead as planned. It did – and those who attended were more than happy. Over 3 000 people crammed the residence to celebrate the final leg of the festival which started at Buhleni Royal Residence two weeks ago.
The only effect was attendance. The number of people who attended was not as high as in previous years, when crowds of over 10 000 converged at Hlane. According to a royal insider who asked not to be identified because he was not tasked to speak on behalf of royalty, people stayed in their homes in fear of the storms.
"There were announcements on radio, warning people to stay in safe places because of the storm which was looming," he said. He said people were particularly warned that the cyclone would hit the eastern part of the country which happened to cover the area where the ceremony was held.
However, those who attended did not regret because they had fun. People danced and drank marula brew, with both the young and old hailing His Majesty the King for ensuring that the event was hosted every year. Among the highlights of the day was when members of the royal family entertained the nation with impeccable traditional dancing skills. They were a marvel to watch as they danced to various traditional songs. Women from the three security forces also displayed their dancing skills. Lutsango from the police force sent tongues wagging with their dances and colourful attire, which stood out as the best among the other regiments.
Members of Lutsango from parliament, as led by Senate President Gelane Zwane also attracted a lot of attention with their rhythmic dances. His Majesty the King did not make a speech. Neither did the Indlovukazi.
Lutsango pleads for Reed Dance
HLANE – Members of Lutsango have requested His Majesty the King to revive the Reed Dance national ceremony for women.
This request was made to the king by Olga Malinga who was the Master of Ceremonies at Hlane. Elaborating on this request when interviewed later, Malinga said the Reed Dance ceremony was suspended about three years ago due to the financial crisis that engulfed the country. She believes the economy was in better shape now. Malinga said the Lutsango reed dance was important in that it was not just an event for fun but women gathered reed that was used in the construction of windbreakers (emaguma) at royal residences.
"Lutsango cut sizeable reed which is important for the construction of emaguma (traditional enclosures). We have noted that there is a need for more reed in the residences," she said.
The older women’s Reed Dance is usually held in July.
It precedes the bigger event, where younger maidens cut the reed and dance for His Majesty the King in August/September.
25 000L of alcohol!
HLANE – People who crammed the Hlane Royal Residence for the annual emaganu festival had over 25 000 litres of the popular traditional drink at their disposal.
The alcohol was free and was to be shared overnight.
The drink was stored in two 10 000 litre containers while the rest was kept in 20 to 30 litre containers.
dancing
Olga Malinga said even though dancing officially ended at around 6.30pm a festival where people drank and danced continued for the rest of the night.
When she was called at about 10pm yesterday she said members of Lutsango were getting ready to go to the dance arena exclusively located inside the royal residence.
"We are waiting to be called by the elders inside the dance arena where we will enjoy ourselves for the rest of the night," she said.
No public indecency here
HLANE - Members of the public drank publicly, undisturbed by the police who had been deployed all over the place to ensure safety.
The main event started at around 5pm. There was dancing in the arena. His Majesty the King and the Indlovukazi sat watching and would occasionally smile.
Guests from South Africa, Mozambique, Sweden and Ivory Caost attended. Some of the guests were the King of KaTembe in Mozambique who came with 10 people.
Members of the KwaZulu royal family were also there, led by Princess Mantfombi, King Goodwill Zwelithini’s Swazi wife.
The event also attracted Zolani Mkhiva, a renowned poet and former South African president Nelson Mandela’s praise singer.
Emakhosikati to His Majesty led the throngs of members of Lutsango Lwaka Ngwane in dance before their Majesties.
They danced in the open ground and defied the rain for over an hour, showcasing their skills and entertaining the monarch.
Even though the event was a relative success, it ended prematurely because of the constant threats of a storm.
Rain stated falling at around 6pm. The ceremony had to be cut short when the rains gained momentum about 30 minutes later.
Due to the abrupt halt of the occasion the audience missed out on the famous solo dance called kutsamba.
Indvuna yelutsango (leader of the women’s regiment) Beauty Gamedze announced the end of the event at about 6.30pm. By that time, most of the people who made up the audience had left the arena due to the rains.
Nomsa Dlamini from Hlatikhulu said she was happy that the rains had ‘respected’ Swazi culture and the King.
"We defied the warnings of the storm because we knew that wherever there was the presence of the King, there would be peace," she said.
Muzi Hlophe who spent most of his time outside the dancing arena, enjoying the brew, said the event had grown bigger by the years.
"I love it because it encourages the spirit of happiness and togetherness. We freely share emaganu and it helps to unite us as a nation," he said.
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