Reed Dance

The Zulu Reed Dance

More than 25 000 Zulu virgin girls gather at the King Palace Traditional Residence for this very colourful and beautiful ceremony every September which promotes respect for young girls, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until they are married. In the olden days, the women gathered at the Zulu Reed Ceremony (Umkhosi woMhlanga) and men at the First Fruits Ceremony (Umkhosi wokweshwama).