Tag Archives: Tradition

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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Wednesday photo: Sibhaca dance

Posted on September 13, 2017 by elliewick

On Monday I attended Swaziland’s trade fair so that I could purchase a new internet package. I have so much more data now!    While I was there, a sibhaca competition was in progress. This is the male version of … 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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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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Wednesday photo: Umhlanga

Posted on September 7, 2016 by elliewick

The Reed Dance, Swaziland’s most famous cultural event, is a week-long celebration of young females, called flowers. This year there were 98,000 participants, about 1/12 of the country’s population. Any female up to the age of about 22 can participate … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Sangoma

Posted on July 13, 2016 by elliewick

Yesterday we visited the sangoma, a traditional health practitioner who works with herbs and consultations with the ancestors to provide advice and treatment to visitors. The sangoma danced for us to the tune of a single drum. His dance expressed … Continue reading →

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Could you please spell Oktoberfest with a “K”?

Posted on September 16, 2011 by elliewick

I like reproductions of things to be true to the original. Books, movies, food, beer and even Oktoberfest. I have been there, which by no means makes me a foremost authority in any degree, but I know what it’s like … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, North America, Photos, Tradition, Travel Narrative, U.S. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Saturday Spotlight on Ohio: Hancock Historical Museum and the Back Street Festival

Posted on September 3, 2011 by elliewick

When I first started this blog I posted about places in Ohio I would like to visit. I have visited some of them since then, but there are still many places on my list. Now as my time here is … Continue reading →

Posted in North America, Photos, Saturday Spotlight, U.S. | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments