Umhlanga (REEDS DANCE) ceremony is not about the King choosing a wife, is our cultural ceremony that involves the maidens, the nation, Queen Mother and the king. Umhlanga (reeds) has spiritual significant in our culture that emanates from Kermit(nowadays Egypt).It is believed among the Bantu people that some of us are from the reeds(river).In African spirituality there lot of uses for the reeds in healing and cleansing ceremonies. The reeds that comes with the maidens is important to be used in repairing holes in the reed windscreen surrounding the royal village(EMAGUMA).Reeds dance is more for the Queen Mother not the King, but ignorant people think it is an event for the king to chose a wife. It’s so disgusting to even hear the so called Africans who think they are modernized saying Umhlanga ceremony is for the king to choose a wife. I wonder why ignorant people like to speak very loud about things that they don’t know.I prefer not to say anything about something that i dont know.But normal ignorant people or people with little knowledge likes to speak a lot as if they know what they are talking about..

The so called modernized Africans are number one in criticizing our culture yet they are very ignorant about our culture they are just Zombies for a white man. King Mswati 3 was enthroned to be the king April 1986.He has attended over 29 reeds dance ceremony, if umhlanga ceremony was about the king taking a wives it means he would be having over 29 wives by now, but he is having less than 17 wives and among the current wives less than 10 that he has chosen from the ceremony. I wish that my fellow Africans can get more knowledge about our culture before they speak nonsense. Umhlanga is more for the Queen mother not the King .The Kings Daughters also partake in the ceremony; does that mean the king also wants to choose among his daughters?
In Swaziland girls begin the rite by gathering at the Queen Mother’s royal village, which currently is Ludzidzini Royal Resident. After arriving at the Queen Mother's royal resident, the women disperse the following night to surrounding areas and cut tall reeds. The following night, they bundle the reeds together and bring them back to the Queen Mother to be used in repairing holes in the reed windscreen surrounding the royal village.

After a day of rest and washing, the women prepare their traditional costumes consisting of a bead necklace, rattling anklets made from cocoons, a sash, and skirt. Many of them carry the bush knives, which they had earlier used to cut the reeds, as symbols of their virginity..
The women sing and dance as they parade in front of the royal family as well as a crowd of dignitaries, spectators, and tourists. After the parade, groups from select villages take to the centre of the field and put on a special performance for the crowd. The King's many daughters and royal princesses also participate in the reed dance ceremony and are distinguished by the crown of red feathers they wear in their hair.

The is a ceremony for the boys called Lusekwane during the Incwala ceremony that one is more for the king .But Umhlanga ceremony is for the Queen Mother..Let me also take this opportunity to pass my condolences to the families who lost their loved one during the accident that happened in Swaziland those young girls who were going to the Umhlanga ceremony. My heart and soul is with all those families .Mayibuyeiafrica..UMHLANGA CEREMONY IS NOT FOR THE KING TO CHOOSE WIFE. He can choose a wife if he wants but that does not mean the ceremony is about that the ceremony can last up to 8 days performing different task and rituals of the ceremony.