BEMANTI TO BE COMMISSIONED THIS WEE
LOBAMBA – The preliminary stage of the Incwala ceremony is about to start. This week, royal sources said, His Majesty the King is expected to go into seclusion to observe Swaziland’s supreme cultural event.
Incwala is an annual and sacred ceremony for the Swazi Nation, celebrated over several weeks, usually beginning in November.
Royal insiders said the water party, known as ‘Bemanti’ might be dispatched this week to fetch sacred water from the Indian Ocean in Mozambique.
Bemanti play a very crucial part in the observance of this cultural rite.
Incwala is a ceremony that has lasted for hundreds of years.
It is often described as the first fruit festival.
The first fruit festival is the tasting of the first of the season’s bounty.
It is, however, only one part of this long rite.
Incwala, sometimes referred to as the national prayer, is about cleansing and renewal.
It is about celebrating kingship.
Respect for total privacy is required on certain special days.
Every Swazi may take part in the public parts of the Incwala.
Spectators are permitted but not actively encouraged.
Photographs are taken by special permit.
Secrecy
The songs, dances and rituals that take place inside the royal kraal remain a matter of utmost secrecy and may not be recorded or written down.
Timothy Velabo TV Mtetwa, the acting Governor of the Ludzidzini Royal Residence, said he would not comment on when the King would go into seclusion.
He said it was against culture to even proclaim to the nation when the water party would be dispatched to fetch water from the Indian Ocean.
He preferred to say the Incwala ceremony would be celebrated very soon.
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