Home | News | Attending Incwala is an obligation'

Attending Incwala is an obligation'

27/12/2012 00:00:00 KWANELE DHLADHLA

Font size:

BUHLENI - Attending the Incwala sacred ceremony is an obligation, especially to warriors.

This was said by National Secretary Nhlanhla Dlamini on Tuesday before he joined the hordes of people who joined the King, princes and sigodlo to dance the Little Incwala at Buhleni Royal Residence.

He said whether it was Christmas or not, all warriors were expected to attend the sacred event, which marks the end of the year, according to the Swazi calendar.

"Attending Incwala is not a question of choice, whether it is Sunday, Christmas or any other national holiday; we are expected to attend the event without fail especially because as warriors we pledged to ultimately respect the King and country," Dlamini said.

Incwala is referred to as the ‘first fruits ceremony’, where the King tastes the new harvest as one important aspect among the many events that take place during the course of the month long ceremony. Incwala is best translated as ‘Kingship Ceremony’: when there is no king, there is no Incwala.

No announcement is made for the date of the public holiday for the main day of the Incwala. Every Swazi may take part in during the Incwala, especially the main day of Incwala.

The key figures of the ceremony are: the King, Indlovukazi, Emakhosikati, princes, royal governors (Tindvuna), chiefs, regiments, and the water party ‘Bemanti’. Prince Sigombeni also shared similar sentiments. He said Incwala was the most important event that takes place in the Swazi calendar; hence all Swazis were expected to attend without fail.

"Incwala is what defines us as a nation; it is what every Swazi should be proud of attending despite any odds. This is a national ceremony where we thank God and the ancestors for guiding and protecting us throughout the course of the year," the prince said.

The Balondolozi regiment’s junior warrior, Sikhiya Simelane, said he attended the Incwala national ceremony to familiarise himself with Swazi culture and traditions.

"I always enjoy the company of warriors, especially during Incwala when dancing becomes the order of the day. I would also like to call upon the youth to attend the ceremony so that they could learn more about the Swazi way of life," Simelane noted.

Tuesday showers show God’s blessing

BUHLENI- The rain witnessed on Tuesday during the ongoing Little Incwala was a sign that God is happy with the country’s leadership.

This was said by Governor Timothy Velabo Mtetwa yesterday. He said since time immemorial, rain had always been regarded as a sign of blessings especially during the Incwala ceremony.

"The ever increasing number of people who attend Incwala is a sign that God loves the nation and is happy with the manner in which it is led. After the successful Incwala ceremony, we expect a successful year ahead of us," Mtetwa said.

National Secretary Nhlanhla Dla-mini also shared similar sentiments. Dlamini declared that he was optimistic that Swaziland would conquer most of the challenges that threatened national stability in 2011/12.

These challenges include; the lack of adequate financial resources and lack of medical drugs at some hospitals, among others.

toughest

"We have had one of the toughest years in history. I am saying this because ever since I was employed, it was for the first time when I had to work without assurance that I will receive my monthly salary.

However, I am happy that the wave has now subsided, which means we might experience a positive year with less problems," Dlamini said.

11-yr-old attends to enhance academic performance

BUHLENI - While warriors attend Incwala to show loyalty to the King, 11-year- old warrior Manyonyoba Dlamini attends to improve his academic performance.

This was disclosed by the Inyatsi regiment warrior shortly before he joined the King, Indlovukazi, Emakhosikati, princes, royal governors (Tindvuna), chiefs, regiments, and water party ‘Bemanti’ to dance the little Incwala at the Buhleni Royal Residence on Tuesday. The Gijimani Primary School grade three pupil, said he was confident that his Siswati pass rate would improve if he attended Incwala ceremony consistently.

"I attend Incwala sacred ceremony to help improve my understanding of Swazi culture and tradition, since all pupils are now expected to comprehensively understand their culture if they seek to attain good grades in the Siswati subject," he noted.

The Minister of Education and Training Wilson Ntshangase recently encouraged all pupils to attend cultural events with intent to improve their understanding of the Swazi culture and tradition. As part of the Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education (SGCSE), all pupils are expected to study and write a separate Siswati examination (Paper Three) on Swazi culture and tradition. Notably, Siswati is a compulsory subject SGCSE level.