KALANGA – Imbali Overseer Hlangabeza Mdluli has refuted claims that individuals can participate in the annual Umhlanga Reed Dance after having given birth.
In an interview at KaLanga Royal Kraal over the weekend, Mdluli said he is aware of misleading rumours suggesting that, under any circumstances, a person who has borne a child may take part in the cultural event. Worth noting is that the reed, which is fetched from the swamps, is used to build enclosures at royal residences. Mdluli said participation at the event could mean attending with intent to fetch, deliver the reed and dance on the main day.
He clarified that the purpose of fetching the reed is solely for young girls who have preserved their virginity, as it provides them an opportunity to demonstrate their pride before Their Majesties and the entire world.
“It is not true that a person who has given birth can attend and participate in the Reed Dance. These rumours are aimed at undermining our culture. Once a woman has given birth, she no longer belongs to the Imbali Regiment,” he said.
He said interested girls could only join the audience in cheering the young girls showcasing their chastity before Their Majesties and the world.
Mdluli warned against spreading such falsehoods, emphasising that they threaten the integrity of a culturally significant event recognised internationally.
He also cautioned women with children to refrain from taking risks at the event, noting that some girls have reportedly bypassed their chiefs and joined the maiden medians at the event without registering at imiphakatsi. He stated that tindvuna (traditional leaders and officials) would increase vigilance to prevent unregistered girls from participating alongside legitimate maidens.
The Reed Dance is a cultural occasion aimed at encouraging young girls to preserve their virginity until marriage. The preservation of virginity is believed to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and allows young women to focus on their studies while acquiring essential life skills.
In South Africa, the value placed on virginity is notably high; the country has previously initiated programmes such as the Maiden’s Bursary Award to honour those who remain virgins until marriage.
In 2016, the Uthukela Municipality offered scholarships to young women who could prove their virginity, aiming to promote sexual abstinence among the girl child. However, this programme sparked controversy, with women’s rights activists criticising it for potential harmful consequences. Critics argued that virginity should not be considered a measure of a woman’s worth and contended that such initiatives have no place in education. Cultural perspectives on premarital virginity vary across different communities. In Hinduism, the Kanyadan ritual during weddings symbolises the giving of a virgin bride and is regarded as a means for the couple to gain spiritual merit. Similarly, within Islam, teachings emphasise the importance of virginity for women, viewing it as a symbol of honour and identity.
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