ForestersArms.co.za
Title
Foresters Arms Hotel, Swaziland
Description
The Kingdom of Swaziland is old, peaceful, incredibly varied - and unique - it is the last traditional kingdom in Africa. The cheerful, friendly Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day to day lives and colourful, mystical ceremonies are held every year to celebrate the Swazi traditions.
The most spectacular ceremony is the annual Reed Dance, when thousands of singing and dancing virgins converge on the Royal palace dressed in vibrant traditional costumes. This ceremony takes place in August/September and the dates are determined by the phases of the moon and only announced a few weeks before the event. During the Reed Dance, the maidens cut and collect reeds which are then presented to the Queen Mother and used for rebuilding the enclosure around her home. In this way, they are paying respect to her and indirectly to the older ladies in the Kingdom.
The most important ceremony is the Incwala or Kingship Ceremony, which takes place in December/January. The King and thousands of young men and warriors take part in various rituals, dances and songs. The dates for this ceremony are announced each year by the King, usually a few weeks before the event and are also determined by the phases of the moon.
