By: Natasha Archary
The AmaZulu tradition reed dance ceremony may be halted due to threats of violence.
This comes after Prince Mxolisi kaBhekuzulu tried to stop the ceremony from taking place saying King Misuzulu is not recognised as the AmaZulu King.
The fight over the throne continues, despite King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s coronation ceremony which took place in August.
Threatening bloodshed if the reed dance ceremony proceeds, Prince Mxolisi, wrote to the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa-Dube-Ncube calling for the ceremony to be put on hold.
The traditional reed dance, or umkhosi womhlanga, can only be presided over by the AmaZulu King.
During the dance, thousands of bare-breasted virgin girls dance before the AmaZulu King. The ceremony had not taken place for 2-years due to Covid-19 and is the headline event in the AmaZulu kingdom annually.
Now, as the ceremony which was supposed to take place on Saturday, 17 September draws closer, the contention over the throne may escalate.
A faction within the AmaZulu Royal Family want Prince Simakade to be recognised as King.
Prince Simakade is the first son of the late King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
The ceremony is set to take place at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, but it is unclear at this stage if the AmaZulu reed dance will proceed according to plan.
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