The Zulu Reed Dance is one of the many Zulu traditions, a customary ceremony, celebrating the young girls' virginity. The ceremony is performed in the regions populated by the Zulus, for their Kings. The groups of young maidens travel sometimes long distances to attend the ceremony that takes place at the palace of the King and they might be chosen as the next Royal Wife. Only maidens -- virgins -- can perform for the King's eyes and the old African traditional custom of virginity test is getting revived by tribal leadership.The young maidens start off the traditional event by collecting reeds from the riversides and take them in bunches to the royal kraal, as a token of their respect for the King and his family.The King participates in the celebration together with the members of his family and household and shows his appreciation for the gift. The
Zulu Royal male family members wear the leopard skin as the symbol of their high status.During the ceremony the maidens will dance and sing, chant and parade on the road to the Royal Palace and in front of the audience. The male members of the royal family wears their traditional royal attire -- the leopard skins are an important part of it .
