Swazi people

The Swati or Swazi (Swazi: Emaswati, singular Liswati) are a Bantu ethnic group who live in Southern Africa. Most live in Eswatini, a country ruled by a king, and some live in South Africa's Mpumalanga province. They speak a Nguni-language.

The Swati people and the Kingdom of Eswatini are named after Mswati II, who became king in 1839. Long ago, the land was home to the San people. The Swati ancestors moved from northeast Africa through Mozambique and settled in Eswatini around the 15th century. Their royal family comes from a chief named Dlamini I.

Swazi identity includes everyone loyal to two leaders: Ingwenyama, meaning "the Lion" (the king), and Indlovukati, meaning "the She-Elephant" (the queen mother). The Swati language and culture help unite the Swati people.

History

The Swati people are from Southern Africa, mainly in Eswatini and the Mpumalanga area of South Africa. They speak a Nguni language. Their history began around 1750 when their leader, Dlamini III, settled near the Pongola River.

Leaders like Sobhuza I helped grow the Swati nation by bringing together many groups. Later leaders faced challenges, but Eswatini stayed independent. Today, many Swati people live in both Eswatini and South Africa, sharing a common language and culture.

Identity

The kings of Eswatini have a long history, going back to when the royal Dlamini family lived near Delagoa Bay.

The Swazi people started as 17 clans called bemdzabuko, or "true Swazi," who followed the Dlamini kings. These clans include the Dlamini, Nhlabathi, Hlophe, Kunene, Mabuza, Madvonsela, Mamba, Matsebula, Mdluli, Motsa, Ngwenya, Shongwe, Sukati, Tsabedze, Tfwala, Mbokane, and Zwane. There are also other Swazi clans that were already living on the land before the Dlamini arrived, and some who joined later.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Eswatini

In Swazi culture, dancing and singing are very important. People also enjoy praise-singing. Pottery and carving are not as common.

Traditional Swazi marriage, called umtsimba, usually happens in the summer. The bride and her family visit the groom’s home. The bride’s group eats meat and dances at his home. The bride gives gifts to her husband and his family.

Two big cultural events in Eswatini are Umhlanga and Incwala. Umhlanga is for young women who are not married to show respect to the queen mother, the Ndlovukati. Incwala is called the “First Fruits” ceremony, where the king tastes the new harvest.

Religion

The traditional Swazi religion believes in a supreme God called Mvelincanti, meaning "he who was there from the beginning." It also honors ancestors. Many Swazis combine these beliefs with Christianity, which came from missionaries. They keep their traditional spiritual practices, especially during important family events like births, deaths, and marriages.