Local traditions and culture in Swaziland

King Mswati III is the King of Swaziland. You will see pictures of him all throughout the country - on billboards, in offices, and in building lobbies. He became king at 18 after the death of his father, King Sobhuza II, in the 1980s. He is an absolute monarch, but in Swazi tradition rules in conjunction with his mother. Polygamy is customary for Swazi kings. King Mswati has 14 wives and numerous children.

A Swazi legend relates the romantic tale of a beautiful maiden and her handsome warrior.
For her hand he had to present her with the skin of a leopard which he had to hunt for on the rugged Gobolondlo Mountain.
Misfortune befell her suitor and he was seized by witches who inhabited the mountainside and transformed into a white flower, condemned for his trespassing to bloom and die among the mountain grasses.
When after many days the warrior had still not returned, the lamenting maiden sat on the river's edge where her tears flowed to form the Phophonyane waterfalls, which still flow today.

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Swaziland shows roads in very good shape !!

This is a very different panorama shown by Mozambique, Swaziland's neighbour country that endured a 17-year civil war and now needs its major infrastructures to be rebuilt.

The Swazi Candle factory is actually located in a converted farmhouse! To quote from their literature: 'The concept involves the cloaking of candle wax with a colourful intricately designed shell. Each candle is hand-formed, the white wax is gently warmed, crafted into the basic shape which can be a large ball, an egg, mushroom, owl, tortoise, or larger bull, rhino or elephant. All of the craftsmen and women go through a training period when they begin with the easier shapes. Under the watchful eye of the senior candlemakers, the apprentices are coached towards making the more intricate shapes. Swazi Candles is a fun place to visit (I can confirm this!), generally the candlemakers like to work to music and there is a feeling of one large family working together here'. The photo shows our easily transported and relatively simple candle, compared to a TV controller!

The Umhalanga or “Reed Dance” is the second most important ceremony and the most colourful. It is celebrated in late August or early September. This ceremony attracts young girls from all over the country and it is an opportunity for the King to choose new brides. The girls wear short beaded skirts decorated with fringes and buttons; together with anklets, bracelets and necklaces, and colourful sashes. It is a very very interesting fest to see.
More details in Umhlanga Travelogue.

There are two traditional fests in the country:
The Incwala and the Umhlanga.
The Incwala or “first fruits” ceremony is held in December is the most sacred of all Swazi ceremonies. Every year, the Swazi astrologers decide the exact date for the fest.
More details in Incwala Travelogue

It is a traditional dance that requires to be fit. It is a foot stamping dance, vigorous in style. It is performed by men with spectacular rhythm. You can see these dances in many places. I saw them in the Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary and again in the Mantenga Cultural Village, but shows are held in many lodges around the country.

Wherever we stopped in both Swaziland and SA to take pictures of the passing scenery or villages, it seemed that people very quickly materialized out of nowhere. The children have come to realize that there are "sweets" to be had from these passerbys! It is not long before your car is surrounded so be prepared to take your photo and move along as quickly as you can. Photo of some village huts in the dry southern areas of Swaziland - the country was noticeably poorer than SA..