MANZINI – Thousands of older Imbali yesterday began their return journey from Mpisi Farm, marking the fourth day of Umhlanga after days of tradition, endurance and celebration.
Led by Imbali Regiment Leader Princess Sakhizwe, the older Imbali left Mpisi Farm at around noon and marched towards Mafutseni.
The regiment arrived at Mafutseni Police Station at approximately 1:50pm after covering about 5.9 kilometres on foot.
The journey was characterised by singing, dancing and displays of energy from the maidens, who maintained their traditional songs as they moved along the route.
The return march marked the fourth day of the 2026 Umhlanga programme, which began on Tuesday with the arrival and registration of maidens from across the country.
The first day focused on bringing the maidens together at Ludzidzini and completing their registration as preparations for the demanding programme got underway.
Authorities had earlier put transport arrangements in place to move maidens from different chiefdoms. Participants were required to provide identity document numbers or personal identification numbers for registration, while parents and guardians were encouraged to ensure the details were correctly recorded.
The gathering of thousands of maidens at Ludzidzini signalled the beginning of the annual national ceremony, which brings together Imbali from across the kingdom.
The second day saw the maidens commissioned for the reed-cutting exercise.
His Majesty King Mswati III addressed the Imbali and urged them to take care of themselves during the journey.
‘Nitiphatse kahle Mbali,’ was the King’s message to the maidens as he commissioned them to leave and fetch the reeds.
The King directed the older Imbali to cut reeds at Mpisi Farm near Mafutseni, while the young Imbali, also known as Bhamusakhe, were directed to gather reeds at Masundvwini.
The young Imbali from Masundvwini were led by Princess Ntsandvweni during their own reed-cutting exercise.
This divided the maidens into groups that would undertake the reed-cutting exercise before making their way back to the royal residence.
The third day was the most physically demanding stage of the programme, as thousands of older Imbali travelled to Mpisi Farm for the reed-cutting.
Princess Sakhizwe led the older Imbali to the farm, where she became the first maiden to cut a reed at around 1:30pm, officially opening the exercise before Liphovela LaZuma and thousands of other maidens followed.
The exercise brought together maidens from different parts of the country, including contingents associated with the security forces.
The participation of Imbali from the Royal Eswatini Police Service, Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force and Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services added to the large representation at Mpisi Farm.
The maidens sang and danced, as they moved into the reed fields, while Emazinyane and tindvuna assisted them as they cut, gathered and prepared their reeds for the return journey.
Princess Sakhizwe encouraged the maidens to look beyond the cultural aspect of Umhlanga by using the gathering to learn, develop themselves and think about ways of creating livelihoods.
She encouraged young emaSwati to consider businesses that could solve problems in their communities instead of relying solely on formal employment.
She also urged the maidens to support local businesses by buying locally produced goods and services, saying this would help strengthen the domestic economy.
The Imbali leader further assured parents that the welfare of the maidens remained a priority, saying arrangements were in place to provide food and assistance to those who became sick during the ceremony.
Once the maidens had completed the reed cutting, they gathered their reeds and began the journey from Mpisi Farm.
That journey continued yesterday when Princess Sakhizwe led the older Imbali from the farm towards Mafutseni.
After reaching Mafutseni Police Station, the maidens were transported by buses to Ngabezweni, where they were expected to rest before continuing with the next leg of their journey.
From Ngabezweni, the older Imbali are expected to walk towards Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where they will meet the young Imbali led by Princess Ntsandvweni.
The young Imbali conducted their reed cutting at Masundvwini after being deployed there on the second day of the ceremony.
They are expected to be deployed at Mahlanya before walking towards Ludzidzini, where the two regiments will converge and proceed to the royal residence.
The meeting of the older and young Imbali will bring together the two separate reed-cutting journeys undertaken during the week.
While cultural activities have dominated the first four days, authorities have also placed strong emphasis on the safety and protection of the maidens.
Police urged maidens to travel in groups and called on motorists to exercise patience, as police escorts and the movement of Imbali affect traffic along some routes.
The emphasis on safety has come alongside calls for members of the public to respect the maidens throughout the ceremony and maintain cleanliness at the different venues.
Having completed four demanding days, the Imbali are expected to rest today.
The break comes ahead of another important stage of the ceremony on Sunday, when the maidens are expected to present the reeds before Their Majesties at Ludzidzini Royal Residence.
The official programme places the Main Day of the Reed Dance on Monday, August 31, when Their Majesties, King Mswati III and the Queen Mother, are expected to join the maidens at Ludzidzini for the main ceremony.
The Main Day is expected to attract thousands of emaSwati, visitors and dignitaries, with representatives from outside the country also expected to experience the ceremony.
Delegates from across Southern Africa are expected to attend the main Umhlanga Ceremony as part of their cultural experience during their stay in the kingdom.
The ceremony has continued to demonstrate its growing cultural links beyond Eswatini, with the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture bringing young Imbali from South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province through a cultural exchange arrangement.
For the older Imbali, however, the immediate focus remains completing their journey back to Ludzidzini.
After four days, from registration and commissioning to the reed fields of Mpisi Farm and the return route, the maidens are nearing the final stages of the annual pilgrimage.
Their rest today will allow them to recover before the delivery of the reeds on Sunday, setting the stage for Monday’s main ceremony, when the strength, discipline, unity and energy of the Imbali will again take centre stage before Their Majesties.
Leave a comment