Reed Dance attracts record crowds

International tourists including a Danish music group made its way to Nongoma in northern KZN at the weekend.  

Crowds were entertained with Zulu songs. 

ALSO READ: KZN ready for annual Reed Dance

Thousands of maidens from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and Swaziland took part in the annual reed dance.   

Young women and girls participate in a dance for the king while carrying long reeds.  

Before the dance, all maidens undergo virginity testing. Mpumelelo Mnguni who is with the KZN Department of Arts and Culture says South Africa's one the few countries that still protects its heritage and culture.  

One of the main themes at this year's ceremony was creating awareness around sexually transmitted diseases. 

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