Tag Archives: Culture

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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Photos from cutting reeds

Posted on September 8, 2017 by elliewick

Cutting the reeds turned out to be pretty exciting after a long wait for the day to get started. The photos below show a bit of the march, the cutting, the preparing, the tying, and the posing with the reeds. … Continue reading →

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Day four: Another long Umhlanga march

Posted on September 6, 2017 by elliewick

Friday is the day of the return march to Ludzidzini Royal Residence. When I arrived, my group was already packed and we departed for the umphakatsi within a few minutes. I thought things would be happening soon, but of course, … Continue reading →

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Day three: Cutting umhlanga

Posted on September 4, 2017 by elliewick

Cutting reeds was definitely a day for the memory books. It started with many hours of waiting, which has become a common theme. Then the group of timbali that has most adopted me disappeared after getting ready. I had realized … Continue reading →

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Day two: The first day of marching at Umhlanga

Posted on August 31, 2017 by elliewick

No one told me there would be running. Wednesday started again at 5 a.m., so I could arrive at Lobamba at 6:30 a.m. Around 7:30 a.m. we lined up near the Royal Kraal for the opening ceremony. The queen mother … Continue reading →

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Day one: Registration at Umhlanga

Posted on August 29, 2017 by elliewick

Today started early at 4:45 a.m. because we were told to meet the bus taking us to Ludzidzini at 6 a.m. I asked my sisi for us to leave at 5:50 a.m. to walk to school so that we could … Continue reading →

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Let the dancing begin! It is time for Umhlanga

Posted on August 29, 2017 by elliewick

The integration activity of the year for young females is here. One year ago my babe said I should dance at Umhlanga with my sisi this year. Today it officially starts. There was a community meeting with the caregivers of … Continue reading →

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Reflections on life after a year as a PCV in Swaziland

Posted on June 29, 2017 by elliewick

I wasn’t sure that I was going to write something in honor of being in Swaziland for one year until I sat down and the words came out of my fingers. Why have a countdown when I am content and … Continue reading →

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Upholding the meaning of my first name

Posted on March 24, 2017 by elliewick

Swazi first names are drenched in meaning, telling a story about their family, birth, or hopes for the child. I have come to love this because American names sometimes come from relatives but usually come down to being liked by … Continue reading →

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Home for the holidays and advice on the Peace Corps life

Posted on December 31, 2016 by elliewick

I have lived far from my parents for many years. I went to university three hours away from my hometown. I studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, twice, which included a summer program and a full school-year. My first job after … Continue reading →

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