Customs and traditions
Between Swazis there are clear and strict rules for socializing. They are often based on kinship or social status. The hierarchies are strong. Status is made clear by beads that are worn in different ways. The elderly should be shown respect. This is done by lowering their eyes in front of them at a meeting and napping easily. Women should show respect for men.
Many Swazis eat saturated corn, wild spinach and emasi (a kind of sour milk). Sometimes chicken and vegetables are also served, and on occasion the beef. The main meal is eaten in the evening. The breakfast usually consists of tea, bread and a porridge made from sour milk. At lunch, leftovers are eaten.
- Countryaah: Overview of the capital city of Swaziland, including information about its population, economy, geography, history and map.
Usually people wear Western clothing, but traditional garments are used by some Swazis. Traditional clothing for men involves a kind of colorful hip with an apron of leather (emajobo) and a necklace (ligcebesha) and a cane (sagibo). Even women traditionally wear a hip (ilihhiya). Unmarried women wear pearl decorations for this, while married women cover their upper bodies with fabric.
As the vast majority of Swazis are Christians, customary Christian celebrations are celebrated, such as Easter, Ascension, and Christmas. In addition, there are a number of national, non-religious holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), King Mswati’s Birthday (April 19), Swazi Flag Day (April 25), Workers’ Day (May 1), King Sobhuza’s Birthday (July 22), and Independence Day (6 September).
According to Countryaah, an indigenous traditional festival of great importance is ncwala (the first fruit festival). It is a religious celebration that is celebrated for three weeks, from the second half of December and into January of the following year. Exact dates are determined by astrologers. Ncwala aims for all Swazis to receive the blessings of their ancestors. It also opens the harvest season. The king has an important role in the festivities. The ceremonies include the slaughter of bulls and the gathering of a kind of sacred plant (often an acacia). On the fourth day, the king participates in a war dance in traditional dressing with other men and then eats the first fruit of the season. Parts of ncwala are only allowed to participate in Swazis. It is necessary to have permission to photograph near the king during the festival.
Communications
According to Abbreviationfinder, Swaziland has a comparatively well-developed road network, and bus is the most common means of transport for the residents. There is a state-run railway linking Swaziland to the railway system in South Africa. There is also a railway line to the port of Mozambique’s capital Maputo.
The Swaziland Airlink airline , co-owned by the Swazi state and a South African airline, connects the country with international air traffic via Johannesburg and Maputo. There is an airport outside Manzini, about four miles from Mbabane. In 2014, King Mswati III’s international airport was opened in Sikhupe in eastern Swaziland.
2012
August
Resignation requirements on the Prime Minister
A majority of the members of Parliament demand in a vote that Prime Minister Dlamini resign. The reason is that Dlamini has taken away its license from the country’s only telecommunications operator and instead let a South African telecom company take over the business. The statement of disbelief against the head of government triggers a constitutional crisis, as the king does not follow Parliament’s call to dismiss Dlamini, who refuses to resign himself.