Culture

LUDZIDZINI – Even though the Ludzidzini Cattle byre was extensively extended, the throngs of emaSwati who attended the main day of Incwala Ceremony could not fit in.

The annual national event, which celebrates culture and reaffirms the alignment of emaSwati with tradition, attracted people from all walks of life.

As such, many of the people who attended the event could not fit into the cattle byre, where the traditional songs aligned with the event are danced to.

Instead, they decided to partake in the dancing outside the cattle byre.

Among those who could not fit into the cattle byre were members of Lutsango Regiment, who then decided to dance outside until the end of the event.

 “There is no space inside hence we are outside,” they said when asked why they remained outside. 

On the other hand, people who attended the Incwala Ceremony for the first time yesterday said they were thrilled by the experience.

Tourists, who came in droves, said they did not regret having set everything aside to come and participate in the event.

The Incwala Ceremony is the most significant event that unites emaSwati. The main event is held within the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest.

During the event, the nation also commemorates peace and stability since gaining independence from Britain in 1968.

The occasion provides an opportunity for the nation to thank God for His protection and guidance over the past year, while seeking blessings, guidance and protection for the year ahead.

The sacred event is recognised globally to such an extent that representatives from other countries are invited to participate.

Giles Sutton from Buckhood University, among others, has attended the event 10 times and he described the attendance as pleasing, which he regarded as beneficial for the country and His Majesty King Mswati III.

Sutton said he had the opportunity to greet the King and exchange a few words.

He boasted about his rejuvenation, stating that he now feels young and strong. Sutton also recalled participating in the march to Esikhaleni SeLusekwane.

Other diplomats congratulated the King and the country for preserving their culture. Also present at the event were representatives from the private office of His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini.

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Expect more tourists in Eswatini - minister

LOBAMBA – Tourism and Environmental Affairs Minister Jane Simelane says emaSwati should expect more visitors this year due to effective global marketing.

She spoke to media houses at Ludzidzini Royal Residence during the main Incwala Day. Simelane noted that the Incwala ceremony is a national prayer that showcases the origins of emaSwati.

“This ceremony was left to us by the elders of this country. We are saying Bayethe to His Majesty King Mswati III, who is continuing with this very significant tradition,” she said.

The minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs described the tradition as unique in the world, stating that it even attracted IShowSpeed, a popular creator with 47 million subscribers and resulted in his followers streaming part of the national ceremony during his visit.

She said he participated in the kubutseka process and did everything emaSwati do, to show the ceremony is admired globally.

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‘We learnt about it from the Times’

LOBAMBA – We only learnt about the Incwala Ceremony from a copy of the Times of Eswatini newspaper.”

These were the words of Phuti Manenzhe from Limpopo, South Africa, who was accompanied by her relatives and children.

She said they had travelled from South Africa just for lunch in Eswatini before deciding to attend the event.

“We learnt about the Incwala Ceremony from Monday’s copy of the Times of Eswatini,” she said.

Manenzhe mentioned that they were very excited to attend the ceremony, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“I am also very excited that emaSwati are embracing their heritage and culture and a multitude of people have come out to attend this ceremony,” she said.

She added that they decided to bring her children to the ceremony so they could gain exposure to different cultures.

“My children were actually supposed to be scuba diving today, but after learning about the Incwala Ceremony, they opted to attend it rather than go scuba diving or play the other games they had planned in Eswatini,” she said.

Meanwhile, Manenzhe’s daughter, Gudani, said she learnt about the ceremony from the Times of Eswatini TikTok page.

“I was very impressed by the ceremony and, luckily, today I had the chance to attend it,” she said.

Gudani said they are looking forward to attending the Incwala Ceremony again, as well as other national events in the country.

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EmaSwati living abroad must market culture - AU commissioner

LUDZIDZINI – African Union Commissioner Moses Vilakati says emaSwati living abroad have a duty to market Eswatini’s culture across all African countries in a bid to promote it.

Vilakati further stated that the Incwala Ceremony is a very significant event which marks the end of one year and the beginning of another.

He also expressed gratitude for the throngs of people, especially the Ingaja (young regiments), who attended the Incwala Ceremony. He noted that their participation shows the country’s culture will not end soon, as the Ingaja will be able to carry on traditions such as the Incwala.

Vilakati said even those working outside the country are speaking about Eswatini’s various cultures, but he emphasised that all emaSwati residing abroad need to actively promote these traditions.

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Researcher’s lifetime wish to see King granted

LUDZIDZINI – A Spanish doctor, who is in the country conducting research on malaria, had a significant opportunity to meet His Majesty King Mswati III for the first time in his life.

Nil Sancho from Barcelona had expressed a desire to see the King, but was unaware of the proper protocol.

However, when he shared his story with security officers at the gate, it was revealed that he was entitled to an audience with the King. Notably, the King served as the Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) from 2017 to 2020, during which Eswatini was honoured for its efforts in the fight against malaria. This recognition followed the launch of the End Malaria Fund in 2019.

ALMA is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to ending malaria-related deaths. It became operational during the 64^th United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2009.

In an interview prior to being treated as a very important guest, Sancho stated that he knew Eswatini was ruled by the King, but had never seen him in person. It was thus his desire to meet the King and to understand the protocol involved. He explained that he was in the country for research on malaria.

“I have been to Mozambique, Kenya and then Eswatini. My experience has shown that Eswatini is more advanced in the fight against malaria,” he said.

*Full article available in our publication

Miss South Africa runner-up Luyanda Zuma had an audience with the King ahead of the main Incwala Ceremony.