Komodu Times
News from Iboma
13 December 2024
Maidens’ Reed Dance Ceremony Underway
Imama nga Matambiya
Maidens singing and dancing together at the Mutumbira Palace in the city of Tshimangadzo
Komodu - The Maidens’ Reed Dance, or in Ibomian: mwuHhosi mwamaThanga is an annual celebration whereby young women between the ages of 16 and 25 hold processions in various parts of the country wearing traditional attire and bearing stalks of reeds. This annual celebration, the largest of which is held at the Komodu Royal Palace in the capital city, is a rite of passage for young women and signifies their entrance into society.
Maidens will go to rivers and collect stalks of reeds growing on thebanks while dressed in skirts and short tops. Women of their family will accompany them to the place in their area where the Reed Dance is to be held. The girls will then dance for the Lady of their area with their communities able to watch. Here they will show off their skills and compete against each other.
The Lady of their area will address the girls, exhorting them to be upstanding citizens and leaders of the society. The celebrations can last into the night and are accompanied by festivities hosted by the surrounding communities. In other cultures, an equivalent ceremony would be a debutantes’ ball. However, in Iboma, the ceremony is open to all girls who wish to participate and is hosted by the traditional and cultural leadership of the nation.
We spoke to some of the girls and this is what they had to say
- Ungari nga Matiyongo: “This was such an amazing experience! I feel so empowered. Being with such beautiful girls reminds me of my own worth!”
- Ismila nga Zuhari: “I’m so proud that my family could come and support me! It’s a great honour to be here”
Her Majesty, the Queen delivered her address from Itangara Stadium in Komodu which was broadcast to the entire nation. She said, “Every year, women are able to come together to celebrate our femininity. I am excited to see the great women you will grow to be. May you carry the flag of this nation high!”