Young South Africans Serve Stunning Traditional Looks on Heritage Day

South Africans have taken to social media to share their best traditional looks for national Heritage Day.
Today marks Heritage Day, also known as Shaka Day in South Africa—a day where citizens are encouraged to recognize the culture and diversity of the country by representing their unique heritage.
While some remain skeptical about the holiday—with some referring to the idea behind Heritage Day as an outright myth—others see it as a special time to represent their tribe, bring out their best traditional looks and partake in the many celebrations happening around the country.
Despite the varying opinions that exist around the celebration, many young South Africans have taken to social media to share images of themselves celebrating the national holiday, using the hashtag #HeritageDay. Check out some colorful images from this year's celebrations below.
One of the most beautiful dresses I have ever worn Umbhaco , from my mothers side #HeritageDay 😊 https://t.co/fVBZnlfrcu— Chulayo M 🇱🇸🇿🇦MommaBear 🐾💙💛 (@Chulayo M 🇱🇸🇿🇦MommaBear 🐾💙💛) 1537772370.0
Did you know that laughing can help you tone your abs💁🏾♀️ Hlekani! 😂 #HeritageDay https://t.co/LEDOBTNIxy— Zamaswazi Nkosi🇿🇦 (@Zamaswazi Nkosi🇿🇦) 1537762801.0
Out here enjoying my friend’s traditional wedding on #HeritageDay https://t.co/3QFQOTkY7G— Ree 🎤 (@Ree 🎤) 1537791323.0
We are bright and colourful like that💙💚💛💜🧡we are such a bunch of happy people😀#TsongaGang #TsongaSauce Happy… https://t.co/5hPROnnpVW— 🍃N’wa-Mkhacani🍃 (@🍃N’wa-Mkhacani🍃) 1537772431.0
#HeritageDay Stand tall stand proud https://t.co/8xvvFaOGaL— S I M B A (@S I M B A) 1537533760.0
Happy #HeritageDay everyone. From iMpondokazi. MaRhadebe Mamthimkhulu. https://t.co/hQqI4MjRPx— 👑Miss Radebe👑 (@👑Miss Radebe👑) 1537768784.0
Happy #HeritageDay https://t.co/7sKBJPfcPt— Duduzile_x (@Duduzile_x) 1537774089.0
#HeritageDay2018 pearl mara https://t.co/yM4WD5y19u— GODFREY makhubela (@GODFREY makhubela) 1537794758.0
KwaZulu this is how we do it, #HeritageDay https://t.co/s1fmXNksvV— Mfundo Kunene🚹 (@Mfundo Kunene🚹) 1537784702.0
Happy #heritageday everyone 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 rock your traditional attire #ProudTswanaGirl https://t.co/Gf1S3DJaU9— GOMOLEMO🥂 (@GOMOLEMO🥂) 1537769504.0
#HeritageDay #ExposeYourCultureWithNAF I created my own🔥😍😂🙈💃 https://t.co/pvVSZvGPZG— Mahlatse (@Mahlatse) 1537788466.0
#HeritageDay enjoy South Africa! KE MOSOTHO! https://t.co/Co6fLEKUrM— #FREEDOM_FOR_FEW🇿🇦 (@#FREEDOM_FOR_FEW🇿🇦) 1537778611.0
#HeritageDay Too sweet for a cardi flavour 😊 https://t.co/n1tqn25yad— 💛💛SWEETS💛💛 (@💛💛SWEETS💛💛) 1537767466.0
My beautiful daughter chilled and representing in style. Anyway HAPPY #HeritageDay to all ya emzansi. Lets cherish… https://t.co/wo1tNlM8EO— CREDIBLE CHIPPA (@CREDIBLE CHIPPA) 1537780687.0
Guy's Happy Heritage Day🎊 Nne ndi muvenda mubikwa na ive, Ive lasala, muvenda a vhibva. Don't shy away about your c… https://t.co/4O2I7cqMvF— Hennessy (@Hennessy) 1537769345.0
Happy #HeritageDay to all my Africans stay beautful and stay proud, oh and to those who colonized us I'd like to sa… https://t.co/9r8XtM1K22— IG:@Alex_Nxumalo (@IG:@Alex_Nxumalo) 1537776918.0
Happy #HeritageDay South Africa 🇿🇦 #HeritageMonth https://t.co/KQFecoUxwS— Andii (@Andii) 1537796588.0
#HeritageDay love and celebrate who you are.I am a proud Pedi ❤ https://t.co/0ZEsZdxKd4— Lebogang masekgata (@Lebogang masekgata) 1537765622.0
Rocking both Xhosa and Zulu in the streets today ....... HAPPY HERITAGE DAY #SmashTheLabel #HeritageDay https://t.co/FAWdvEepGR— Gino Silver (@Gino Silver) 1537784216.0
Wishing y'all a happy #HeritageDay from maHadebe❤️Bhungane,Mthimkhulu💕 https://t.co/GhJ4UIbkUP— 👑MALINDY👑 (@👑MALINDY👑) 1537776491.0
#HeritageDay My friends looking amazing ❤🔥🔥 Xhosa ✊🔐 We are Africans✊🇿🇦 https://t.co/AGQHT2D3oU— 18 September 🌟 (@18 September 🌟) 1537779563.0
And my niece came all out for the day ... #HeritageDay #HeritageMonth https://t.co/ZGF12U0zFz— Vunene Oagile 👶 (@Vunene Oagile 👶) 1537514743.0
Here are a few "unconventional" bonus looks for good measure:
Here's a #HeritageDay meme https://t.co/fjjQjFOjDa— KopzenSA (@KopzenSA) 1537792024.0
Happy #HeritageDay ❤❤ https://t.co/cnBqBhcKlN— Bra Max (@Bra Max) 1537775400.0