Some background about the Reed dance It is a rare occasion, many South Africans have never seen the Reed dance, it’s not every year the Zulu king chooses a new wife.
The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and opportunity for young maidens to learn how to behave in front of the King. This is done while delivering reed sticks and dancing. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear 'izigege' and 'izinculuba' that show their bottoms. Traditional attire includes beadwork to symbolise African beauty at it's best. At this stage the maidens are taught by senior females how to behave themselves and be proud of their virginity and naked bodies. That allows maidens to expect respect from their suitors who intend approaching them during the ceremony.
The second phase is educating the young maidens 'amatshitshi' by their older sisters 'amaqhikiza' on how to behave in married life. Young maidens are encouraged not to argue or respond immediately but to wish the suitor well on his journey back. After protracted discussions the older sisters then approach the mother of the impressed maiden about the impending love relationship. If the father accepts the suitor the two families meet and gifts are exchanged as a sign of a cordial relationship.
After this the young maiden 'itshitshi' takes the next step of being 'iqhikiza' a lady in charge of the young maidens. By then they are experienced chief maidens who act as advisors to the younger maidens – and are ready for married life. The Zulu Reed Dance plays a significant part of Zulu heritage in reflecting diverse African customs. Thisceremony is still close to the heart of many traditional leaders and citizens. It portrays and instils a sense of pride, belonging and identity among the youth.
Some of my dialogue for Zulu this is a very short basic conversation, but this is what I do for a few hours every day!
N:Sawubona Ophra
O:Yebo Sawubona Sisi, ungubani igama lakho.
N:Ngingu Namo. Ghithanda ukubuka iTV show wakho nomdeni wami. ngiyajabula ukuwazi
O:Ngiyabonga, nami ngiyajabula ukuwazi. Uphumaphi?
N:Ngiphuma eGoli, kodwa manje ghihlala e Cato Manor
O: Ngizosebenza eCato Manor ngesanto eli zayo
N:Usebenza wako ubalulekile, kodwa uthanda ukwenzani ngempelesanto eMilika?
O:Ngitanda ukusiza abantwana, nokufund ibhuku, nokuthenga. Wena uthanda ukwensani eThewini
N:Ngithanda ukurelaza ekhaya, nodemi wami, nokupeka, nokuthenga.
O:Kumnandi, uyathanda ukuhamba name ngiyothenga?
N:Yebo! Ghitanda ukuthanga ePavilion
O: Kulungile masihambisane ngolwesihlanu ngo 4
N:Sobonana ngo 4
Hamba kahle sisi!
No comments:
Post a Comment