Tradition- modernized or misunderstood

Over the weekend, twitter was abuzz with debate over Minnie Dlamini's traditional uMhloyana ceremony. A Zulu traditional ceremony usually performed for young women as they cross over to womanhood. Traditionally; according to social network opinion; it is performed for a young female when they start seeing their monthly menstrual cycle.

Why the outrage over Minnie's ceremony? Well,  most people think it is very disrespectful of Minnie and her family to modernize culture and perform a botched ceremony for the cameras since Miss Dlamini was rumored to have been traditionally married to Itumeleng Khune last year and a whopping 1 Million Rand was paid in exchange for her hand in marriage.

She is no longer a young woman therefore she should not be doing it as it sends out the wrong message to people who might also want to perform this ceremony for the wrong reasons therefore missing the entire point to the whole uMhloyana ceremony meaning.

In her defense, Minnie came out saying that it is more of a family tradition than a Zulu tradition, therefore people must swerve and stick in their lanes as they didn't know what they were complaining about.

So I ask, when was tradition ever about family rules over tribal rules? Are traditional ceremonies not done the same throughout the tribal group? Help me understand bandla

By Queen Troll

Feminine care: pads, menstrual cup or tampons

From puberty to menopause, most women go through a monthly menstrual cycle. We dread it, call it names and hate the little extras such as mood swings, weight gain and discomfort that it brings with it. As if these inconveniences aren't enough, one has to choose what form of sanitary ware to use. Growing up there were pads and tampons as options but lately there is a new thing called the menstrual cup. I have put together a bit of an FYI to help highlight some of the pros and cons of each product.

Pads: famous form of sanitary ware. Fuss-free and usually the first available options for young women when they start their menses. They come in different sizes and absorbency options. The disadvantage of using them is that when left for a longer period they tend to leak and if not used correctly can shift off underwear and make wearing them uncomfortable and may leave the user's clothes soiled. Chances of getting TSS (toxic shock syndrome) are low when pad are being used as the periods actually leave the body onto the pad.  

Tampons: the most comfortable and widely used amongst ladies who have past their first stage of periods. They're comfortable and discreet and do not hinder a user from taking part in normal day to day chores and activities. However, women who use them tend to experience problems such as TSS from leaving the tampon in too long or even when the clots are unable to leave the body due to the fact the tampon blocks off passage and therefore allows no escape of the clotted blood out the body. It is also said that the bleach used on the tampon may be the reason why women who use tampons find themselves with genealogical problems and heavy bleeding during their cycle.

Menstrual Cup: this one is more of an organic option. When I first saw it online I thought nah, this won't take off, but it looks like I don't know everything. It is a tiny flexible silicone cup that you insert into your vagina to collect menstrual fluids. It is reusable, so u basically just collect, empty, wash and re-insert. I haven't tried this option of sanitation and my verdict is still out there on this one.

What methods do you ladies prefer? Please shed more light on your preferred method.

By Queen Troll

Happy New Year

Haaaaaaaaapyyyyyyyy (booooy I love saying this!!!) Hello friends, welcome back to TOLAH. The festive is over and I would like to welcome all of you ladies that have made it into 2015. Not everyone has made it nor was it due to our smartness that we are all still here. With all this being said, I would like to open with a short prayer, please allow.

Dear Lord.  As the year begins, I would like to start by thanking you for saving us to see the new year. Lord, I ask for your guidance and protection in the new year. For myself, family and TOLAH fam, including Ncane. I ask that you help us stay trolling in the name of the holly trolling spirit and for Wickey, Lebo and guest Trolls to find your house dear Lord. Not forgetting Lord, that you deliver some from the hands of the dhedhis into the loving hands of their right-aged peers. May the midnight, 3am & 6am brigade keep the prayers going. Last but not least dear Lord, I ask that you turn the pre-situations that trend in this house into main-situations.

In the name of the TROLLS amen.

By Queen Troll 

Happy Monday

Happy Monday trolls. Oh what a bummer for you if you are reading this from your workplace. It means u are slaving while we are drinking. #DrunkLifeThings.

Anyway, hope you ain't feeling all that bad that you are the only one not bizi spending bonuses tsa bontate badikontraka le bo dhedhi kiiiii

What did you ladies get up to this weekend?

By Queen Troll

Love, Light and Happiness…

As the year draws to an end, I have been looking back at my year, the joys and struggles it has brought and I have realised that there is so much that I still carry with me that weighs me down. Tough times that I brushed off, things I never fully let myself feel, in order for me to let go, forgive and heal. See the thing about life is, it doesn’t stop for you to face tough times, everyone carries on and we get so busy trying to make a living, and somehow someway you find a way to carry on without actually dealing with your demons.

I know a lot of us have been through a lot whether it’s this year or the past years and I know we still carry so much of our pain with us on a daily basis, without acknowledging it and without letting it go. And each year adds on, its own burdens and scars to our hearts. So my article today is more of a prayer, for each and every one of us.

 I pray that we find healing in all that has happened in our past that we learn to let go of yesterday and its burdens to start anew. To let go of all that weighs down on our hearts and minds. To forgive ourselves for whatever pain or struggle we have, to forgive those who have wronged us in anyway. To no longer devote our energy and thoughts on things, memories and even people that bring us misery. And to move on from things that no longer bring us happiness. I pray for strength for each and every one of us and to overcome our demons, to face whatever life throws at us. For us to acknowledge our pains and struggles and let them go, so they no longer have power over our lives, no matter how difficult our past has been. To learn to build ourselves with our thoughts and to use words to build others, because these are very powerful tools. I pray for healing in all our lives, for hope and for us to keep faith, with the knowledge that whatever trials we may be facing, they are just temporary. I pray that whatever is broken in our lives can be mended. I pray over our jobs, relationships, families and all that is dear to our hearts, that it is protected and prospers.

I pray for love, light and happiness in all that we do. And remember, whatever is good for your soul and feels right for you do that, always. No matter what the world says.

Happy festive Ladies ♥

Love,

Draya

New Year's Resolutions

In a few days, we will be bidding farewell to the year that was 2014 and welcoming the freshness that is 2015. Resolutions will be made, broadcast to whoever is patient enough to hear our wishful thinking but most will be forgotten within the first weeks of the year.

A lot of smokers will "quit" smoking, only to fall off the wagon within a month of the new year. The gyms are going to enjoy fresh new subscribers who will attend all of 1 month's worth of gym and come up with reasons why those gym doors will not be entered until January 2016. My favorite is the "January non-drinkers", oh boooooooy do they make me laugh. And then there are those people who vow to change the way they act/ do things in the new year only to remain the same.

I, for one never make resolutions yet am the first to ask people what theirs are just for a good inside giggle.

Do you ladies make resolutions? What are yours this year? What are you hoping to change and what are you hoping to leave behind midnight on the 31st December 2014?

by Quee Troll

Happy Pre-Monday

Hello Trolls, oh what a weekend I've had. Most of us are not at work today until Wednesday, while the bulk will be back ka January. I have beeen drinking guys and boy is alcohol nice!

I went to my grans on Saturday, came back ebusuku to have me some Ben time. Was never ready to realize I had no energy to go out at midnight and am embarassed to say I had to pull a stunt to avoid going out so I could sleep. Old age is a bitch. I am in Zola at some family msebenzi kabo Ben as I type this, the grownups made me stay instead of following Ben to a soccer match, I hope @Yellowbone is not there playing cheerleader in my place. Was hoping to hook up with Zesty but she's acting up sooooo....

Anyway, what did you guys get up to?

By Queen Troll