Festivals

Festivals are an interesting aspect of Eswatini culture, customs, and etiquette to learn about. The traditional culture of Eswatini is most spectacularly expressed in a series of large-scale ritual ceremonies. These are living cultural events that, with the exception of a pair of sunglasses and a mobile phone, have changed little in two centuries. Visitors are welcome (though some parts are restricted), but the ceremonies make few concessions to tourism. During festival season, the nation is in a celebratory mood, and bands of warriors or maidens decked out in full regalia are frequently seen on their way to or from the festivities. Not to be outdone, the current generation has created a modern, vibrant music and arts festival with a rapidly expanding international reputation.

Eswatini is well-known throughout the world for its magnificent traditional festivals. The Umhlanga (Reed Dance) takes place in August/September, the Incwala in December/January, and the Marula Festival in February/March. These are living cultural events that, with the exception of the occasional wristwatch and mobile phone, have changed little in the last two centuries. Visitors are permitted to observe, but the ceremonies make no concessions to tourism; even the exact dates are not published in advance, relying on the whims of ancestral astrology.

The main events take place at the royal parade grounds at Ludzidzini or other royal residences, but the mood of celebration pervades the country, and visitors will almost certainly see wandering bands of warriors or maidens decked out in full regalia as they head to or from the festivities.