A feast to taste the new year's first crops.
Swaziland Map © 2003, pbase.com LLC
Abstract
Every year the Swazi honor the king and the new harvest with the Incwala celebration (Hussey). In the celebration, the tribe is brought together to feast and seek tribal guidance from the king. During the celebration the king is not considered an authority figure, but rather as a pathway to tribal spirits and gods (Hussey). Through the celebration, the Swazi worship their king in order to foster communication with their deities.
Swazi King
Mswati III (right) with the King of South Africa © Photos
of Rumi Takahashi The Swazi
dance on the last day of Incwala ©
COPYRIGHT 2000 - AFRICATRAVELLING.NET 
Introduction
This website offers an explanation of the people of Swaziland and the Incwala celebration. The website includes basic facts about the features, origins, and style of the Incwala celebration. Cutural significance of the celebration is also stated. It is significant because it celebrates the arrival of the new harvest given by the deities, and the relationship between these gods and Swazi people (Encyclopedia Britannica Online 2001). The celebration also honors kinship among the tribe, and brings the people together through feasting and dancing (Encyclopedia Britannica Online 2001). The kinship is passed on from generation to generation, which increases communication among the tribe through the powerful bond between families.Context of Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a small nation and very corrupt; student and labor unrest causes many conflicts for the small country. The kingdom of Swaziland is a small nation located in southern Africa, landlocked between Mozambique and South Africa. It is located close to the equator making the climate hot, humid with temperatures consistently above 80 degrees (Central Intelligence Agency 2004).
The Kingdom of Swaziland was independent during most of its existence until the 19th century, when Britain took control (Central Intelligence Agency 2004). Then in 1968, the Swazi, as they refer to themselves, were granted independence from Britain. At first, the country began their freedom with a Monarchy (Central Intelligence Agency 2004). However, this rule has only lasted for a few decades due to unrest among pro-democracy and labor workers (Central Intelligence Agency 2004). They have not yet overthrown the King, but rebellion is a possibility. One major conflict facing the Swazi is the AIDS/HIV epidemic (Muswazi and Magagula 2003). The nation currently has the most reported cases of the deadly disease.
Origins of Incwala
The Swazis have been performing the Incwala celebration since the 1500's. In the 1500's they were not called the Swazis though (Nyeko 1995). The celebration started with the Dlamini family (Nyeko 1995). Now, the Mswati family because of generations of Dlamini marriages, rules the Swazis (Nyeko 1995). The Dlamini gave the name Incwala, meaning the “festival of thefirst fruit”, because they cherish the foods in honor of the first king to their village (Nyeko 1995).
Performance
The Incwala celebration does not start until the Swazis march together to the Indian Ocean off the coast of the country Mozambique (African.Net). At the ocean, they gather foam (African.Net). The foam is brought to the king at his palace. After a new moon appears in the sky, which is spotted by Swazi astronomers, the king will eat foods with the foam and Little Incwala begins (African.Net). Little Incwala lasts two days and consists of wearing traditional clothing and singing sacred songs (Lifestyle and Culture). The king remains in his palace at this time. The Big Incwala celebration begins with the first sighting of a full moon (Carrie). On the first day of Big Incwala, young men travel to collect shrubbery of the Sacred Lusekwane bush and return to the festival (Carrie. On the third day, warriors slay an ox and dance around the king's palace (Lifestyle and Culture). The king emerges from his palace to dance and sing with his people. He eats the first pumpkin of the harvest giving permission for the people to eat the first fruits of the year (African.Net). More dancing and singing continues. The last day comprises of a bonfire to burn the kings bedding and items (Lifestyle and Culture). The Swazis pray to their ancestors, which triggers rain to put out the fire (Carrie). The new year has now begun with feasts and dancing.
Artifact
Incwala dress cord
©Kingdom of Swaziland
Interpretation
Prognosis for Incwala
The Swazi beliefs and traditions have been passed on for generations. Traditions such as the Incwala celebration have always been carried out even before the publication of a written document in 1880 stating these customs (Nyeko 1995). The Incwala celebration will never die due to the Swazi strong values. They cherish their ancestors and their beliefs and will be passed down to generations to come. While the popularity of the Incwala celebration is not likely to increase, it is likely to remain an important the Swazi culture for many years (Beckwith and Fisher 2002).
Conclusion
The Swazi have celebrated the Incwala for generations and will celebrate every New Year for generations to come. They will live in harmony and keep on their Incwala tradition unless the governments from bordering countries interfere, which is doubtful (Central Intelligence Agency 2004). No changes have been made in the style of the celebration. The king will always be one of the foci for the interaction with spirits and gods (Brisco and Thompson 2003: 310). The Swazi celebrate Incwala every year worshipping their king, gods and new harvest and the celebration is involved in everyone's lives in the tribe and a major tradition in their tribe and country. Even though more developed countries are more modified and industrialized the Swazi continue the traditions of their ancestors.
Internet References Cited
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African.net
African Festivals: Incwala
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- Carrie
Incwala New Year - Swaziland
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Lifestyle and Culture
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Muswazi, Paiki and Rose Magagula
2003 Swazi Culture: An Annotated Bibliography.
University of Swaziland Libraries.
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
Beckwith, Carol and Angela Fisher
2002 African Ceremonies: The Concise Edition
Brisco, Jill Ellen and Sue Ellen Thompson
2003 Holiday Symbols and Customs, pp. 310.
Central Intelligence Agency
2004 Swaziland . The World Factbook.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/wz.html
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
2001 Swaziland
http://www.britannica.com/search?query=swaziland&ct=&fuzzy=N
Hussey, Hazel.
Incwala Ceremony. Swaziland Jumbo Tourist Guide.
Nyeko, Balam
1995 Swaziland. Revised Edition.