Culture

Swaziland has kept their unique culture for many centuries.  In many parts of the country, there are rock paintings that show dance, hunting parties, battle scenes, and animals.  A lot of the people wear very colorful clothes that have a bright toga-like piece called the mahiya.  Swazi warriors walk along the streets carrying battle-axes.  Personally, I would be very scared if I saw a warrior carrying an ax when i was walking down the street!  Many women wear "beehive" hairstyles like Marge Simpsons' hair, just not blue.  

The two most important and colorful ceremonies in Swazi tradition are the Incwala and Umhlanga.  The Incwala, "first fruits", is the most important and sacred of all Swazi ceremonies.  It is performed during December.  During this ceremony, many people, especially men, gather at a royal palace for many weeks of traditional dancing.  This dancing is always joined by the King.  The second most important ceremony is the Umhlanga or the "Reed Dance".  This is the most colorful ceremony and is performed in late August or early September.  This ceremony is mostly for unmarried women to worship the Queen and King.  Both of these ceremonies are performed only once a year.  Throughout the year though, many male dancers dance at hotels, spas, and game reserves for entertainment.  

The most traditional Swazi craft is grass weaving.  Mats and baskets are made for any and every use.  One type of basket work is so closely woven that you can drink from it.  Other crafts include wooden sculptures, glassware and pottery.  

Women's hair-does aren't the only "bee-hives" in Swaziland.  There's also a type of home called the Nguni hut, or "bee-hive" hut.  This home is made with a round frame, poles, and ropes.  Another type of home is called Sotho huts.  They have pointed roofs that are easily detatchd.  These houses are made of mud and have window frames and doorways.  Traditional European homes can also be found in Swaziland.  

Traditionally, babies weren't said to be "people" until they were three months old.  Before they reached the age of three months, they were called "things", had no names, and men couldn't touch them.  Once the baby became a "person", they remained very close to their mother who would carry them on her back and feed them whenever hungry.  At age three, a child begain to play with other children.  The mom would just leave the child in the care of other children.  Discipline was taught later in the child's life.  Young children would play house in their free time.  Today though, boys play with toy cars, while girls pretend to cook and do eachother's hair, just like in the United States.  Traditionally, girls and boys were to be seperated at the age of 6.  The boys were then socialized by older kids and learned to take care of livestock, while girls had more freedom and only did domestic chores.  Today, almost all children go to elementary school.  Around the age of 13 though, many children drop-out out school.  Many people in Swaziland believe in witchcraft and sorcery, even though most of the country is Christian.