Incwala Festival

Incwala Festival is the main ritual of kingship in the Kingdom of Eswatini, it is the country's most important cultural event. This festival has been around for hundreds of years, and it is one of the last remaining examples of what was once commonly practiced in many African countries in the past. Outsiders are largely unaware of its spiritual influence, and much of its inner workings continue to be kept under wraps. Despite being sometimes interpreted as a "festival of the first fruits," this elaborate ritual involves much more than just sampling the first fruits of the harvest. Fundamentally, this is about purification, renewal, and most importantly - celebrating kingship.

Incwala Festival starts with the small incwala, incwala lencane, and culminating in the big incwala, incwala lenkhulu. A number of activities—such as lusekwane, kuhlamahlama, and umdvutjulwa mark the key events of this festival. Day four of the Big Incwala is the best day to attend because thousands of people, including warriors dressed in full battle regalia, will be swarming the royal parade grounds and the feasting and dancing will be at its peak.

Even though it's not a tourism event, Eswatini culture enthusiasts are always welcome, although they are not actively encouraged, meaning unless you have a special permit, you are not allowed to take any pictures. On the other hand, every Swazi may take part in the Incwala Festival.

Duration: 6 days, during the summer solstice (around the last week of December or the first week of January)

Location: Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland)