INCWALA HOLIDAY ON WEDNESDAY

MBABANE - His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday commissioned ingatja to fetch the sacred shrubs (lusekwane).

This is in readiness for the Main Incwala Ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday. Incwala Ceremony is one of the country’s national events, where emaSwati gather inside Ludzidzini Cattle Byre and celebrate the harvest of the first fruit. The nation also celebrates peace and stability since the country gained its independence from Britain on September 6, 1968.

When commissioning the excited young boys, the King made it clear that Ingatja would be expected to march with the shrubs as opposed to last year, where cars were used to transport the shrubs.  Worth noting is that when the King commissioned Ingatja last year, he stated that things would be back to normal this year.
“Utsi okandaba lusekwane alusilo lwetincola. Ingatja kumele ishuce nalo lusekwane lonyaka,” the King said. The young boys blew whistles and shouted Bayethe! Some were heard saying ‘akuse siyekhona.’ However, the Head of State further encouraged the young boys to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations such as social distancing, sanitising, vaccination as well as wearing of masks.

Vaccinate

The King also mentioned that the nation would have to vaccinate in readiness for the main event. Vaccination has been made a requirement for this year’s Incwala Ceremony. Attendees will be expected to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination along with fresh COVID-19 negative test results. Health officers were deployed to ensure that all those wishing to participate were tested for COVID-19. Meanwhile, the King marched with the warriors and Ingatja all the way to Esikhaleni at Nhlambeni, where he officially opened the Incwala song. Incwala sung is only sung for three days.

The King then left the young boys to fetch the shrubs at moonrise. The young boys are expected to deliver the sacred shrubs inside Ludzidzini Cattle Byre. They would take a rest in readiness for fetching red leaves (imbondvo) which are used along with the shrubs for decorations during the course of the event. Ingatja will also be afforded an opportunity to show their bravery by killing a bull without weapons. Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Princess Lindiwe confirmed that the Incwala holiday would be on Wednesday. “As the King has commissioned ingatja to go and fetch the sacred shrubs, His Majesty has blessed that the holiday be on Wednesday December 22, 2021. Bayethe, Wena Waphakati,” the princess briefly said.

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