Lights, Camera.....FLASHDANCE!: Alicia And Swizz Beatz's Marriage And Baby Blessed In A Zulu Ceremony

EPIC!

Alicia Keys and fiance Swizz Beatz had their union and unborn child blessed in a traditional Zulu ceremony in Illovo, a suburb of Johannesburg.

The songstress, who is about five months pregnant, arrived in South Africa to headline the Kick-Off Concert ahead of the World Cup in Soweto last week. On Wednesday, Keys and music producer fiance Swizz Beatz had their union - and their unborn child - blessed in a private traditional ceremony at Illovo on the South Coast. The blessing took place under a huge fig tree known as "the healing tree", which symbolises good fortune and good health. The R&B diva, known for her stylish wardrobe, went behind the fig tree and swapped some of her trendy clothes for a blue sash over one shoulder and a beaded headdress, necklace and bracelets.

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Beatz, who has worked with the likes of Gwen Stefani and Beyonce, donned a red sarong bearing an image of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, a leopard-print silk sash and a leather peak cap with fur trimming. The couple sang traditional Zulu songs and danced to the beat of drums before the ceremony. Keys and Beatz were accompanied by her mother, Terri Augello, her younger brother Cole Cook, bodyguards and a film crew which is documenting her Return to Africa trip. Keys first visited South Africa in 2006. The two-hour ceremony was arranged months ago at Keys' request by non-governmental organisation Bobbi Bear, a group that is opposed to child abuse and funded by Keys' Keep a Child Alive Foundation.Staff from Bobbi Bear greeted Keys with songs of praise and welcome and about 50 locals gathered under the tree to watch proceedings. The Sunday Times was asked to respect the ceremony and not photograph the couple during the blessing. ''She (Alicia) doesn't mind that you're here," said a publicist. ''But she wants the ceremony to be private ..." Keys arrived in Durban on Tuesday to open the Blue Roof Wellness Centre in Wentworth, south of Durban. The complex was transformed into a state-of-the-art HIV/Aids care centre. The couple have been tweeting about their visit to the country. On the night of the opening ceremony Keys tweeted: ''The Energy out here is STAGGERING!!!!! Unbelievable unbelievable unbelievable!! I have a true connection w South Africa!!" Beatz tried out Durban's legendary bunny chow, describing it as "damn good".
Just before the couple left South Africa, Beatz tweeted: ''Much love and respect to all my people in SA. I had the time of my life now I'm on to the next 1."