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The Swazi’s are predominantly Nguni in language and culture. They originate from east central africa. As part of the Nguni expansion southwards, the Swazi crossed the Limpopo river and settled in southern Tsongaland in the late fifteen century.
Swaziland has been inhabitated since the early stone age and there are tracks of subsequent occupation by Bushmen, Sotho and Ntungwanguni clans. Swazi simply means the people of Mswati.
Rock paintings attributed to the San have been identified in many parts of Swaziland. The paintings usually depict animals, people, hunting parties, battle scenes and dances.
Drive along any road in Swaziland and you will likely see many Swazi's dressed in colourful costume, featuring a bright toga-like garmnet - the mahiya. You may also meet Swazi warriors carrying battle-axes. The women that you encounter may sport the traditional "beehive" hairstyle, which is still very popular today.
For all the modernisation that has come to Swaziland, the people have preserved their age-old culture and traditional ceremonies. The two most important and colourful of these, in the eyes of Swazi's and foreigners alike, are the Incwala in December and the Umhlanga in late August or early September.
The Incwala or "first fruits" ceremony is rich in symbolism and the most important and sacred of all Swazi ceremonies. During the Incwala, all people, especially male, converge at the Royal Kraal at Ludzidzini for several weeks of traditional dancing which is always joined by the King.
The Umhlanga or "Reed Dance" is the second most important ceremony as well as one of the most colourful. The ceremony is specially for unbetrothed maidens to pay homeage to the King and Queen Mother.
Although these ceremonies, which are at the core of Swazi culture, are performed but once a year, there are still many opportunities to witness traditional Swazi customs. The sibhaca dance, vigorous in style, is performed by teams of men throughout the country. Teams of dancers enterain visitors regularly at the Royal Swazi Sun, Lugogo Sun Hotel and Ezulwini Sun Hotels, as well as Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane Royal National Park.
The Cultural Village, situated at Mantenga Nature Reserve, is a living museum of all things traditional and represents classical Swazi Lifestyle during the 1850’s. The objective of the village is to enable Swazi’s from all corners of the country to reach out to it and maintain a positive interest on their cultural heritage as well as show tourists the cultural achievements.
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