Chat To A Traditional Swazi Warrior And Enjoy The Umhlanga (reed) Dancers At Swazi Village

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Swazi Warriors may look daunting with their knobkerrie and a traditional shield for defense purposes, but nowadays these weapons are just for show. Young men belong to an age-regiment, for war and tribute labour which is formed by the king about every five years and are called for Incwala, weeding King's sorghum fields (January), harvesting sorghum (May) and threshing sorghum.

They provide entertainment to tourists and keep their audience entranced with their gaily patterned cloths (emahiya) with loinskins and anklets, decorated with feathers and beads. In early days the warriors were needed to suppress any form of rebellion form configured tribes, protect the King and nation from rivals and external attacks, but they have since retired and they do tasks associated with the incwala ceremony which is a sacred period of the nation from which outsiders are barred. The Festival is timed to coincide with the start of the northward journey of the sun after the summer solstice and the focus is on the King.

This sacred ceremony may not be held when there is no king and the full ritual takes several weeks to symbolize the acceptance of traditional rulers, the unity of the state, the agricultural cycle, fertility and potency. Sibhaca Dancing is the traditional Swazi dance performed by teams of men at a vigorous pace. The ‘headman’ of the Sibhaca dance will personally invite you to an evening of Sibhaca entertainment so it is by invitation only. Gathering around the main campfire for an hour or so of good traditional Swazi entertainment is worth the trip.