The first thing that became very apparent to me about Swazi traditional living was that these guys know how to dance! I mean really dance.
We’re talking about high kicks that went well over their heads, hip shimmying, you name it. They’ve got the moves.
At the Mantenga Cultural Village, visitors can view traditional dance performances several times a day. Each dance tells a story and has a meaning. One of Swaziland’s most famous dances is the Umhlanga, or Reed dance. It’s performed in late August/early September each year by young single women. The purpose of the dance is to pay respect to the Queen Mother, but it is also a favorite among local men as our guide Michael explained to us – in part perhaps because of the short beaded skirts worn by the dancers.
Most of Swaziland’s festivals involve traditional dancing and locals tell me they’re not to be missed.
Mantenga Cultural Village is not only for tourists. There was a school group of local children who sat in front of us. One of the boys was more interested in checking out J.P. my husband who is 6’4″ (198 cm) than he was in watching the performance. I found them equally fascinating as a few of the children shyly waved hello to me and smiled when I waved back in return.
I SO do NOT have all the right moves for Swazi traditional dancing.
Less fascinating for me, but very entertaining for J.P. was when I got brought up on stage to try traditional Swazi dancing. I quickly got the hang of the few simple steps demonstrated to me, but I definitely did not have the Swazi rhythm and felt very awkward among all the graceful dancers who were seemingly born with rhythm running through their veins. Fortunately, J.P. couldn’t figure out the video camera, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. Believe me I was EVEN WORSE than I looked.
Next up was tour of a traditional Swazi village with 16 huts showing how Swazi’s lived in the 1850s. Each family lived in a hut made of local materials. Swazi communities are very tight-knit, in part given the close quarters living conditions. Swazi men were traditionally and still allowed multiple wives. Fortunately each wife had her own hut. Perhaps given the multiple wives it should come as no surprise that each man also had his own hut – in case he needed to be on his own and think explained our guide. Given the headaches that I give my husband who has just one wife, I can imagine, Swazi men must have a lot to think about.
I left the Mantenga Cultural Village admiring how integrated dance was and still is into the Swazi culture. When I think back on the “big moments” in my life, the only one that involved dance was my wedding dance. I don’t think I’ll ever have the moves and grace of a Swazi dancer, but I’m working on my rhythm…at Zumba class.
