The Swazi Kingdom

Unification through inclusion - the Swazi Kingdom

Eleven wives by the age of thirty-five? That's nothing compared with the more than seventy acquired by his late father! King Mswati III, southern Africa's last absolute monarch, is sometimes better known for his conjugal arrangements than the unique political system of his country: the tiny mountain kingdom of Swaziland.

Royal Politics

Surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, Swaziland is an unusual state in today's world. 'Given' autonomy by Britain in the late nineteenth century, and independence in 1968, this small country is headed by a hereditary monarch who in turn approves the appointment of a Prime Minister recommended by the cabinet. The modern world rolls inexorably on however, and recently pressure for political reform has been brought to bear on the monarchy by its people.

Swaziland, as the name implies, is overwhelmingly made up of Swazis (roughly 97%), speakers of siSwati. They are people of Nguni extraction (like the Zulu for example) and originated in east-central Africa, having migrated south to settle in the area along the Pongola River in the late seventeenth century. At this stage the Swazis, under their leader Dlamini, were forced to retreat into the area of present-day Swaziland after conflict with the neighbouring Ndwandwe. Here they consolidated, subjugating numerous smaller Nguni and Sotho tribes to build up the Swazi nation. Having established a stable political entity and territory, the nineteenth century saw the nation following a fine line of diplomacy, co-operation and treaty with their Boer and British neighbours and, except for a short period prior to the Anglo-Boer War. they maintained some degree of autonomy.

Cultural Pride

This autonomy no doubt has much to do with the sense of cultural pride that prevails in the country today, as well of course as the continued existence of the monarchy. Despite the inevitable modernisation of some aspects of the country, a strong adherence to cultural customs and ceremonies and even traditional dress survives. Aside from Sibhaca dancing performed by teams of men at social occasions, two important annual ceremonies are reflective of the deep roots of song and dance in the culture. The Ncwala (‘first fruits') ceremony is held at the Royal Kraal in December or January and culminates in the traditional Ncwala dance in which the King, attired in full regalia, participates. Thereafter the King disappears into a hut where he eats the fruit of the new season. After this ceremony the King's bedding and household items are burnt, symbolically cleansing the old and welcoming the new, enabling the rest of the nation to eat the new produce with the blessing of the ancestors. The second important ceremony performed annually is that of the Umhlanga (‘Reed Dance') which takes places in late August or early September and provides an opportunity for the Kingdom's young maidens to pay homage to the Queen Mother. Young women from across the country collect reeds and dress in specific styles to dance before the King and Queen Mother, the gathering of young men and women from around the country helping to strengthen the sense of tribal unity.

This latter end is also served by the marriage practices of the King, always of the Dlamini line, who is expected to choose wives from all sectors of society, thereby including the various elements of the nation in the monarchy.

Bongani Mountain Lodge

Swazi people are not restricted only to Swaziland and also occupy adjacent areas of South Africa. CC Africa's Bongani Mountain Lodge falls into such an area between the Kruger National Park and Swaziland and the Lodge is staffed overwhelmingly by Swazis, including the world famous Sibusiso Villane, acclaimed first black African conqueror of Everest this year! Villane has also compiled a list of Swazi bird names for the fifth edition of the Ecological Journal, while Head Ranger, Micah Ngwenya's article on traditional Swazi uses of plants appears in the first edition. Swazi dancing at the Lodge and visits to the surrounding community expose guests at Bongani to local culture.

-Chris Roche-

Posted: Other by CC Africa, Date: 21 November 2006