A day and night of spectacular dancing, traditional cultural and fun and games
ABOUT
The festival will be a unique chance to experience rural Swazi culture in the hospitable Kaphunga community and help us raise money for a good cause.
ALL FUNDS RAISED GO DIRECTLY TO THE PRESCHOOL
You’ll have the opportunity to spend a day and a night watching spectacular Swazi dance performances, participate in games and competitions, wear traditional Swazi clothing, eat and drink traditional Swazi food and beer, meet people from Kaphunga and raise funds for a newly established rural preschool.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
Program
Saturday July 11th 2009
10.30 am Pick up from Manzini or leave if you are driving (see below for directions)
1-5pm Traditional Swazi Dancing
Venue: Matjana Primary School (in Kaphunga- see below directions )
The feature acts for the afternoon will be:
Lutsango lwabomake- traditional dances for married women- these will be performed by mothers of the preschool student, who I hear are currently rehearsing under the instruction of another local woman and ex-preschool mother- the photos on the leaflet and poster are of a dance group she organised for a previous event.
Sihlongonyane Sibhaca- a professional Sibhaca group from the local area who perform at many weddings and other traditional gatherings. Sibhaca is the traditional Swazi dance for men- you have probably seen it before. It's quite a spectacular and active dance which involves lots of stomping.
Titfombi and Bulimeni girls- two groups of young girls who will perform Ingadla- one is from the local area, the other a professional group who travel to perform at traditional gatherings. Ingadla is the traditional dance for young (unmarried women) which involve lots of high, straight-legged kicking.
There will be singing, games, competitions and stories about the Kaphunga area and its culture in between these performances. Please note that no alcohol will be served in the afternoon. Alcohol will be available in the evening.
5-7pm Informal time- walk to see sunset in the mountains if you want to.
7pm onwards- dinner, bonfires and drumming
Venue: Myxo’s Cultural Tours Campsite (accommodation is included in the price and is being provided by Myxo’s Cultural Tours in traditional Swazi huts, to help the school raise funds)
In the evening traditional Swazi food will be served. We’re planning some big bonfires to warm things up and have local percussion musicians coming to perform after dinner. Dorm-style accommodation will be provided in traditional Swazi huts.
Sunday July 12th 2009
9am Traditional Swazi breakfast will be served
10am Morning walk
11am Transport to bus stop and Manzini leaves
Accommodation
Dormitory style accommodation will be provided at Matjana Preschool and the Woza Nawe tours holiday camp. You’ll be sleeping traditional style on a grass mat. Please bring a sleeping bag or let us know if you’ll need a blanket when you book.
Cost
Attending the Dance and Cultural Festival will cost you just R250, including accommodation, dinner and breakfast.
Transport Options
PICK UP FROM MANZINI
Transport from Manzini will be available but needs to be booked at least three days (and preferably further) in advance to guarantee spots and allow us to organise vehicles. The driver will collect you from Manzini Bus Rank (near KFC) at 10.30am. We’ll drop you back in Manzini on Sunday. Cost: R40 each way. We'll give you the driver's name and description when you make your booking.
BOOKINGS AT LEAST THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE ESSENTIAL TO GUANRANTEE PICK UP!
DRIVE:
If you have your own car, you can drive to the festical. Take the Nhlangano/Sidokodvo turn off, from the main highway between Manzini and Mbabane (it’s about five minutes outside of Manzini if you're coming in that direction, or just past Matsapha if you're approaching from Mbabane/Ezulwini). There's also a sign at the turn off for Nkonyeni Golf Estate.
Drive along this road for about half an hour- you’ll pass a gas station and chicken factory known as Tri-cash, the turn off to Nkonyeni Golf Course and then down a hill and over a bridge. You need to turn left onto the first road, just after the bridge. It’s a dirt road, and you’ll see signs to Matjana Primary School and Kaphunga Police Station at the junction.
A few hundred metres down the road you'll come to a jucntion with signs pointing to WEM School (left) and Shishelweni Area Development Program (right). Take the road to the right- it takes you up a big hill. Passengers will be enjoying the spectacular scenery, but the driver should be looking out for stray cows, goats and people. Continue along that road, following the signs to Kaphunga Police Station and Matjana Primary School. You’ll pass three more junction- all have signs either to Kaphunga Police Station or Matjana Primary School. If you get lost, give us a call on 648 3360.
Bookings
Booking are essential and advance bookings are requested. Email us, detailing the number of people you are booking for, what transport option you’ll be using, if you need blankets (if you have a sleeping bag you can bring please do so).