Greetings

Greetings are one of Eswatini's cultures, customs, and etiquette. The most common form of greeting is a handshake with the right hand. It is more polite to extend your right hand to shake while touching your own right forearm or right wrist with your left hand. Similarly, when you give or accept something, use your right hand while your left-hand touches your right wrist or forearm. If you are introducing yourself to an elderly person or someone of higher rank, you may be expected to bow your shoulders and head while shaking hands.

Swazis raise both hands in front of their chests, palms facing the person they want to greet. When greeting one person, they say "Sawubona" (saw-oo-bo-na) and when greeting multiple people, they say "Sanibonani" (sonn-ee-bo-na-nee). Those who receive the greeting reply with "Yebo" (yay-bo). Swazis use the same verbal greetings as described above when meeting new people. They always shake hands with the right. Shaking hands with someone with the left hand is unacceptable.

When younger people greet their elderly, they bow slightly or squat down to a lower position than the elderly. This is more common among rural children.