Umhlonyane

Umhlonyane

Umhlonyane is a traditional ceremony done by the Zulu people for girls when the girl reaches the womanhood stage, (depending on what age they reach it). The head (normally a father) of the family slaughters a goat for this ceremony. A week before the ceremony, the girl is kept in a separate room away from other people, where she will stay inside and comes out on the day of the ceremony. By the time she is in that room the elder women visit the girl to give advice and guidance on how to behave as a teenager (itshitshi – Zulu maiden).

Before the day of a ceremony, the girl’s friends (same age) come to stay with her until the next day. All the girls apply ‘white soil’ all over their bodies. In the morning they go to the river to wash their bodies. On their way back to the homestead they sing traditional songs that are relevant with the ceremony.

They sing songs like:

Khula, khula ngane yakwethu (grow up, grow up my sister)

Hhayi usukhulile (Yes, you are grown now)

Wokhula kuze kusho abantu (Grow up until people say you are grown)

Bathi khula (They say grow up)

Hhayi usukhulile (Yes, you are grown now)

They dress in traditional Zulu clothes for girls (izigege) and beads. They sing and dance in the homestead as a sign to show that the girl is still under parent’s supervision and guidance, until they give the girl permission to go outside and look for someone to marry. Neighbours and family members give the girl presents e.g. money, blankets and cloths. Then after that people can feast on meat and drink Zulu traditional beer.