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EveryParampara

Next: about 31 Aug to 7 Sept 2027

Umhlanga Reed Dance

Tens of thousands of young Swazi women cut reeds and carry them to the royal residence, singing and dancing before the king.

A pattern drawn for this day, not a photograph.

When is Umhlanga Reed Dance in 2027?

Umhlanga Reed Dance 2027 runs from 31 August to 7 September 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, 31 August to 7 September 2026; 2028, 31 August to 7 September 2028.

About Umhlanga Reed Dance

Umhlanga, the Reed Dance, is held each late August or early September at the royal residence of Ludzidzini in Eswatini. Unmarried young women, tens of thousands in number, travel to cut long reeds from the riverbeds, then carry them in a procession to repair the windbreak of the queen mother's compound. They sing and dance, and the eighth day features a ceremonial display, in which they wear colourful beaded skirts and anklets, and are watched by the king, the queen mother, and a large audience. The festival is meant to honour the queen mother, to encourage chastity, and to foster the discipline and solidarity of the young women. The date varies each year, and is announced in advance, so the dates shown are approximate.

Umhlanga Reed Dance dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

YearUmhlanga Reed Dance date
202631 August to 7 September 2026
202731 August to 7 September 2027
202831 August to 7 September 2028

This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.

What is eaten

  • sishwala
  • beef stew

Traditions of Umhlanga Reed Dance

IncwalaThe first-fruits ceremony of the kingdom.

Also part of it, and being written: Eswatini (The kingdom of the festival.), Swazi people (The people who keep it.).

About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Umhlanga" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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