Tag Archives: Traditions

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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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 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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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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