Some members of the Nazareth Baptist Church, known as the Shambe Church, have faced criticism after participating in the recent Reed dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) at the Emashebeni Royal Palace in Fongolo. This dance took place last weekend, falling on Saturday, which is traditionally a day of prayer, fasting, and humility.
Social media was filled with comments ranging from shock to condemnation, as some church members questioned the participation of Shambe girls who took part in the ceremony without upper garments.
Traditionally, the Reed Dance celebrates the chastity of young women and is associated with the girls wearing traditional attire, including bare breasts. However, some critics referred to church rules outlined in Book 25, which require young maidens to observe modesty and not walk barefoot on Saturday.
Tamia Bosula expressed her shock after seeing on TikTok that some Shambe maidens attending the virginity ceremony in the Ntanda mountains also participated in the Reed Dance. She questioned how one could violate the Sabbath rules, even if circumstances prevented church attendance, while maintaining dignity.
Bosula cited the example of eBukhleni faction leader Mduduzi 'Nyasizilezu' Shambe, who did not attend the official coronation of King Misuzulu Kazvelitini at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 29, 2022, because the event fell on a Saturday. He stated that he wanted to attend the coronation but 'because I am an inmate, I am bound by the Sabbath, I cannot.'
Bosula asked: 'What forgiveness for violating the Sabbath by attending the Reed Dance?' She argued that even if participants did not eat hot food or drink hot beverages during the Reed Dance, they had already violated the Sabbath by appearing without upper clothing on a day she called a day of humility and worship.
Splelele Mpangazita supported Bosula's position. Sabata Mtshali also fully agreed with Bosula, noting that the pure young women of the church await a blessing from the church leader after returning from the Ntanda forest, having placed their sticks, which marks their vow of virginity.
Some church members also voiced concerns about women wearing trousers and artificial hair, such as weaves. Nevertheless, Tokozani Mnhwabe, a representative of the eBukhleni faction of the Shambe Church, stated that people must distinguish between church rules and private life norms. He clarified that the Reed Dance is open to the entire nation, and Shambe maidens attend it when they have the opportunity.
Mnhwabe added that trousers cannot be worn in the church or temple, and artificial hair is also forbidden in temples. He explained that the church rule regarding temples is that the church does not interfere in a person's private affairs; the decision remains with the parent, but there are rules in temples. For example, one cannot simply enter a temple without upper garments; one must wear a head covering and be covered with an umnazareta (a robe similar to the habit worn by church members).
The rules of the Shambe Church are closely linked to Zulu culture and permit polygamy. The consumption of hot meals on Saturday is prohibited, and pork and alcohol are strictly forbidden. The church encourages unmarried young women to maintain chastity.