Category Archives: Tradition

A traditional Swazi wedding, part three: Umtsimba

Posted on December 7, 2017 by elliewick

Umtsimba celebrations return to the groom’s family’s homestead for the final event of a Swazi traditional wedding (the first is the teka and the second is the lobola). This ceremony celebrates the completion of the lobola payment, which can occur … Continue reading →

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A traditional Swazi wedding, part two: Lobola

Posted on November 28, 2017 by elliewick

After the teka, the bride will return to her parents’ homestead. Her family will need to decide on the bride’s price, and then the whole family will travel back to the groom’s homestead for the sitsinjana, or lobola negotiation. In … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Umtsimba dancing

Posted on November 15, 2017 by elliewick

A few months ago I participated in my first Swazi wedding. The bride had already been teka-ed and lobola was finally paid. The bride was my make’s elder sister, and I am guessing it had been 40 years since her … Continue reading →

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A traditional wedding, part one: The teka

Posted on November 14, 2017 by elliewick

Making the bride cry tears of sadness because she is leaving her home and becoming part of another family is an integral part to first large segment of a traditional wedding. The teka follows the kujuma (sleepover), where the bride … Continue reading →

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Embracing Swazi culture

Posted on November 12, 2017 by elliewick

In the two months that have passed since the end of Umhlanga, I have met so many astonished and proud Swazis and Zulus. People are still telling me that they saw me dancing and everyone is impressed. Some ask me … Continue reading →

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A moment in my life: Sangoma in the house

Posted on November 3, 2017 by elliewick

So many entertaining things happen in my life in Swaziland. These are the moments I will want to remember because they make me laugh, and they show insight into my daily routine. These moments are often hard to photograph and … Continue reading →

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A few more photos from dancing Umhlanga

Posted on October 23, 2017 by elliewick

Because I have so many wonderful photos from PCV Kirby at http://www.whatiskirbydoing.com, I want to share a few more of the Umhlanga ceremony. If you want to read more about my experience, check out day six  (delivering the reeds) and … Continue reading →

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Day seven: Dancing time

Posted on October 19, 2017 by elliewick

The day of big dancing started off like every other day – with me unsure of what was going to happen. It turns out that Monday’s activities are a replica of Sunday’s, except that the reeds have already been delivered. … Continue reading →

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Delivering the reeds in photos

Posted on October 17, 2017 by elliewick

Delivering the reeds was everything I wanted and more. You can read about that day here. I finally got the 1500 photos from day six and day seven, so here are the best ones from delivering the reeds. Please note … Continue reading →

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Day six: Delivering reeds to the queen mother

Posted on September 19, 2017 by elliewick

I thought to myself, “I wonder if the king is here,” and then I looked up and made eye contact with him. It was the day of reed delivery to the queen mother, and it only made sense that the … Continue reading →

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