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ESWATINI (SWAZILAND) CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

 


GENERAL INFORMATION

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Swaziland

The culture of Swazi people involves music, food, religion, architecture,
kinship among many othe things.[1] The Swazi people are composed of various
Nguni clans who speak the Nguni language SiSwati.

 

The Ngwenyama is considered the head of the nation alongside the Ndlovukati who
is the spiritual leader of the nation.

 

 

TOTAL EXPERIENCE TOURS

Qualified and licensed Tour Guide in Eswatini,Swaziland

I was born and raised in Eswatini (formally Swaziland) lived all over the
country and I'm passionately in love with it. I know it from the heart, inside
out.

 * Cultural Tours
 * Adventure Activities
 * Swaziland Highlights Tours

After you have seen Africa through my eyes, it will forever be in your heart



Thulani

Mobile : +268 7626 2992

Email :

terahyende@gmail.com

 

or go to Booking Enquiries form

 



 

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National cultural events often involve the Ngwenyama or Ndlovukati. At home, the
patriach of the family is the head and in the past, often practiced polygamy.
This headman, usually referred to as umnumzane is central to all activities of
the home.

 

A group of homes forming a community and the land they reside on forms a
chiefdom or umphakatsi. Several chiefdoms form an inkhundla which then belongs
of a regional division of the country. This connects the older traditional
leadership structures to more modern forms of government.

 

There are national cultural events such as umhlanga, emaganu and incwala which
take place at Royal residences of the Ngwenyama and Ndlovukati. Local cultural
events in communities or imiphakatsi, take place at the residence of the chief
also called emphakatsini. Weddings, funerals and religious events are usually
carried out at family homesteads where neighbors are usually invited to partake.





SANGOMA, INYHANGA – TRADITIONAL HEALERS OF ESWATINI (SWAZILAND)



 

Inyanga performs rituals that are common to that of a “sangoma”. The role of a
“sangoma” is to find the cause of misfortune or disease. The “sangoma”
prescribes actions to rectify the misfortune or in the case of illness, prepares
medication to cure illnesses. They are more accurately described as “which
finders” as apposed to the European misinterpretation and given the epithet
“which doctor”. To learn the craft, learners “tangoma”, (plural of “sangoma”)
attend various “schools” and undergo “lutfwasa”, a learning process which may
take up to a year or longer. About a dozen or more learners are resident at a
small homestead of Bethany, headed by LaMabuza which is situated near Matsapha
in central eSwatini (Swaziland). During this learning process, the learners will
have to observe various taboos: no sexual relations, no quarreling, and no
shaking hands among others.

 

“Throwing of the bones” (“ematsambo”), is a collection of small bones, a variety
of other small objects like dice, beads etc which are thrown on a mat and
depending upon the way the objects and bones fall, a solution to the problem can
then be divined. During “indumba” the small house that is the learners base,
there would be drumming and they will enter in a trance, grunting and sweating
dance to the drums and communicate the message of the “emadloti” (ancestral
spirit). A red cloth is draped over their shoulders, the drum rhythm changes to
that of “emaNdzawe” (or Ndau which is people living in Mozambique or Zimbabwe),
This is done because in past history, a group of Swazi’s marauding in the area
had come across some cattle belonging to those of “emaNdzawe”, they had been
instructed not to kill the cows as they were to be offered as a sacrifice to the
ancestral spirits.

 

The Swazi’s killed the people daring to oppose them as well as the cattle. As a
result thereof, the “emandawe” spirits have haunted them and therefore, they
require being placated in these ceremonies. The “tangoma” would speak with a
strangled voice in a language that was said to be an old form of “Ndau”, a
language only known to them when in a trace, and shake vigorously to the rhythm
of the drums. Through dreams and vision that are interpreted by another
“sangoma” as indicating a normal person has a calling to become a diviner.
Although the calling is more than often resisted because a “sangoma” is
distinguished by her appearance with her hair in “siyendle” style, decorated
with traditional medicine, small bottles and subject to many taboos. In eSwatini
(Swaziland) there are far more woman “tangoma” than men. The calling becomes
irresistible and hence she becomes a learner ‘sangoma.

 

The student learns to use the traditional medication “umutsi” and the ceremonies
that are associated with that. These medicines consist of mainly roots and
ground bark but can contain animal parts as well. Some rituals performed include
medicine put in water in clay pots, stirred with a special stick that it forms a
froth of which a small amount is then eaten and applied to their face and on top
of their head. During the two day ceremony which is called “kuphotfulwa” the
candidate is initiated as a fully qualified “sangoma” as they have now completed
their “iNtfwasa” training.



 

A herbalist “Inyanga” (plural: tinyanga) does not perform rituals that are
common to a “sangorma” Herbalists often have a large variety of “umutsi” which
are traditional medicines kept in artistically carved vessels. The men’s
costumes of the “inyanga”, especially if they are from outside the country, may
also be different.





UMTSIMBA – THE SWAZI LOBOLA, WEDDING CEREMONY AND DISSOULUTION

Lobola negotiations can be long and complex. The main purpose of Lobolo is to
determine the worth of the bride. Often during the negotiations either a bottle
of brandy or traditional sorghum beer is placed on the table which is not
usually drunk. This gesture is known as “imvulamlomo” which means “mouth
opener”. The purpose of this tradition is to make everyone feel welcome.

 

The potential wife’s delegation decides whether the alcohol will be consumed or
not. The amount is affected by many different factors and the circumstances of
the bride to be. Lobolo is considered customary in Swazi marriages and the
purpose thereof is to build relations between the prospective families. In the
event of death of either spouse the marriage is then dissolved. Should the wife
leave her husband as a result of abuse, the husband may have to pay a fine to
the father or if the wife refuses to return then the husband can make a claim
against the Lobola. If the wife initiates a divorce, the father will have to
repay some of the Lobola.

 

The wedding ceremony takes place over several days which includes seven stages
and is called “umtsimba”. The first stage is the preparation of the bridal
party, the second stage is the journey of the bridal party. The third stage is
the first day of the wedding ceremony and lasts three days. The fourth stage is
when the actual wedding ceremony takes place and is known as “umtsimba”.

 

The fifth stage is known as “kuteka, this is the actual wedding and the final
stage is when gifts are given by the bride to the groom’s family. In the final
stage it is the first time that the bride actually gets to spend the first
evening with the groom and husband and wife. The wedding ceremony and functions
include traditional beer called “umcombotsi”. Traditional attire is worn and
during the functions gifts of sweets, coins, and fruits are given by the
audience to the dancers. Many traditions and rituals are followed during the
wedding ceremony during the various stages.

 

After the wedding ceremony is completed, only then is the Lobola transferred,
however this can take months or years after the ceremony. The Swazi tradition
states: “akulotjolwa intfombi kulotjolwa umfati” which when translated means:
the bride price is paid for a woman who is legally bound in marriage and not for
a single woman.

 

THE REED DANCE



All young maidens from every part of the country gather to take part in the Reed
Dance.Most of the participants are teenagers.

 

Umhlanga usually takes place in late August or early September.

 

The maidens pay respect to the Queen Mother.At the ceremony the girls wear short
beaded skirts with ankle bracelets and jewellery with colorful sashes. The women
sing and dance as they parade in front of the royal family as well as a crowd of
spectators, tourists and foreign dignitaries.

 

After the parade, groups from select villages take to the center of the field
and put on a special performance for the crowd. The King's many daughters also
participate in the Umhlanga ceremony and are distinguished by the crown of red
feathers in their hair. Usually the king chooses his wife at the reed dance
ceremony from among the participants.

 



 

 

MARULA FESTIVAL: A TRIBUTE TO MOTHER NATURE

February marks the start of a wonderful celebration season and includes the
marula festival which is a cultural event in eSwatini (Swaziland) which serves
as a tribute to the riches of mother nature and an annual royal celebration. The
Marula festival is a time of celebration including song dance and the
celebration of harvesting the fruit. Festivities are led by King Mswati 111 and
Her Majesty the “Indlovukazi, the Queen Mother. The festivities are held from
February and can continue up until May or as long as the harvesting season last.
According to Swazi tradition, the marula fruit is sacred and not merely a fruit.
Marula contains medicinal properties it aids fertility and its sweet and highly
alcoholic beer are held in the highest regard and marula is also utilized for
domestic needs. Marula trees are also protected by traditional laws. Marula’s
contain anti-oxidants, are high in vitamin C and are rich in minerals. The bark
of the trees are utilized for medicinal purposes but because of the value of
commercial potential, the oil of the seed kernels is the most valuable part of
the tree as it is rich in conditioning and moisturizing properties and products
have been produced using the oil as a base.

 

THE NCWALA CEREMONYOUR MOST SACRED CEREMONY

This is one of the most sacred ceremonies of the Swazi culture which takes place
in December over a few days. Various preliminary rituals take place that are
know as “iNewala Lencane” and “small iNcwala. When these rituals and ceremonies
are complete, it marks the kinship with the king reaffirmed and the nation is
then renewed. It marks the beginning of the New Year and only then, may the
fruits of the new harvest be eaten. The King also performs certain rituals on
main day of the ceremony and the whole nation practically comes together at The
Royal capital of Lobambo where huge ceremonies are held.

 

Incwala or Kingship Ceremony is the most honorable events in the kingdom of
eSwatini (Swaziland). It takes place during December/January.

The King and thousands of young men and warriors take part in various rituals,
dances and songs. The dates for this ceremony are announced each year by the
King, usually a few weeks before the event and are also determined by the phases
of the moon.

 

The ritual begins with a journey by the "Bemanti" (people of the water), who go
to the Indian Ocean to collect water and on their return to the royal kraal, the
"Little Incwala" begins, preceding the full moon.

Young men collect the sacred branches of the "lusekwane" shrub, a species of
acacia.

On their third day, the young men ritually slaughter a bull.

 

On the fourth day is the termination of the Ncwala when the king in full
ceremonial dress joins his warriors in the traditional dance. The king then eats
the first fruit of the season after further rituals at his special hut.




CULTURAL VILLAGES IN ESWATINI (SWAZILAND)

 

CULTURE THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

The eSwatini (Swaziland) culture can be viewed at the Swazi National Museum
(Leobanba eSwatini (Swaziland)) and several interesting artifacts are held there
showing an impressive collection from various eara’s. Dating back from the 18th
century. This long history and fascinating culture for such a small nation is
astounding. The history of each king can be seen at the museum.

 

MANTENGA CULTURAL VILLAGE

Mantenga Cultural Village a living museum of old traditions and represents a
classical Swazi lifestyle during the 1850s. It comprises 16 huts, kraals for
cattle and goats, reed fences and other structures. 

 

Visitors are encouraged to interact with the people in the village and can do so
by grinding maize, plaiting mountain grass or joining in the Swazi song and
dance.

 

The village life is vibrant and energetic and your guide will not only talk you
through how the huts and traditional items are made will might also teach you
the Siswati words for them. Interaction is encouraged, so try your hand at
grinding maize and plaiting mountain grass or join in the Swazi song and dance.
An offering of a taste of local food and sometimes brew is made but forget about
your cutlery and try it the Swazi way… with your hands! This experience is both
informative and memorable - a taste of true Swazi hospitality - and should not
be missed.

 

The Cultural Village is open to visitors every day from 8 am to 5 pm.

The traditional dances are held at 11.15 and 15.15 every day.

LOCATION : Ezulwini Valley, 10km from Mvubu Falls Lodge.

 

NO COMMISSION PAYABLE ON BOOKINGS!!

WANT TO ADVERTISE WITH US?  CONTACT JUDY: JUDY@HAPS.CO.ZA  TEL : 083 662 1273

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