Traditional and popular parties · Ludzidzini, Eswatini
Official poster or photo of the festival (fiche Festival TV ).
Dates
End of August – early September (dates set by the royal house, announced late) (usually)
Venue
Ludzidzini, Eswatini
Genres
Traditional and popular holidays
The festival
Every year tens of thousands of Imali — young women of the kingdom — converge towards the royal residence of Ludzidzini, in Lobamba, for Umhlanga, the dance of the reeds. They go to cut the reeds, to sing, then present them to the Queen Mother, the Indlovukazi, before the great dance in front of King Mswati III. Colourful pearls, regimental songs, pride of families: the ceremony celebrates the unity of the Swazi people and the passage of the young girls into adulthood.
It is the most emblematic cultural event of Eswatini, first experienced as a national act before being a show.
Good to know
Dates fixed by the Eswatini Royal House, announced shortly before the ceremony. Main Day 2026: Monday, August 31.
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