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632.  Umcwasho maidens

1895  Photographer: Unknown    Photo Source: National Archives

This photo was taken at Mbekelweni in 1895. The photo shows four unmarried maidens wearing umcwasho around their necks. After a number of years of wearing a large tassel young maidens were allowed to remove it in a dance before the Queen Mother or Indlovukazi and they were then able to get married. This ceremony was elaborated between the1940s and mid 50s into the ceremony of Umhlaga or Reed dance as performed today when maidens wear colourful umcwasho. This custom was institutionalised in the mid 1980s when the Prime Minister, Prince Bhekimpi made it mandatory for all maidens to wear the umcwasho daily. The ruling did not survive his term in office.

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Joseph Raucher:
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