Photos of scantily-clad Zulu virgins at ongoing annual Reed Dance (18+)

The 2017 edition of annual Reed Dance has been held, and it was gathered that over 45, 000 Zulu maidens successfully went through ‘virginity testing’ in their districts throughout the province,  a rite which started at the Enyokeni Palace of King Goodwill Zwelithini on Friday, September 8.

Virginity testing (ukuhlolwa kwezintombi ), an ancient Zulu tradition that is regarded as an important rite of passage to womanhood, was largely neglected by previous Zulu kings until it was revived by King Zwelithini in 1984.

Before embarking on the annual trek to Nongoma‚ the maidens have to be tested by elderly women days before the pilgrimage to Enyokeni or to the Swazi Queen Mother’s Eludzidzini residence. Those who pass the test take pride in their status and are lauded by their community as izintombi nto‚ pure maidens.





According to Sowetan, the idea is that by remaining pure‚ the maidens are safe from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, STDs.
Here are photos from the ceremony;