Swazi people
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
EmaSwati | |
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Zionist Churches, Catholic), Swazi religion | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Xhosa, Hlubi, Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho, Tsonga. Pedi, Phuthi people |
Swati (Swazi) | |
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Person | liSwati |
People | EmaSwati |
Language | Siswati |
Country | eSwatini |
The Swazi or Swati (
The Swati people and the Kingdom of Eswatini today are named after Mswati II, who became king in 1839 after the death of his father King Sobhuza who strategically defeated the British who occupied Eswatini. Eswatini was a region first occupied by the San people and the current Swazis migrated from north East Africa through to Mozambique and eventually settled in Eswatini in the 15th century. Their royal lineage can be traced to a chief named Dlamini I; this is still the royal clan name. About three-quarters of the clan groups are Nguni; the remainder are Sotho, Tsonga, others North East African and San descendants. These groups have intermarried freely. Swazi identity extends to all those with allegiance to the twin monarchs Ingwenyama "the Lion" (the king) and Indlovukati "the She-Elephant" (the queen mother). The dominant Swati language and culture are factors that unify Swazis as a nation.
History
EmaSwati are descended from Nguni-speaking clans, who migrated from north East Africa and later settled in south-east Africa in the fifteenth century. They moved into southern
As part of the Nguni expansion southwards, the Swati people crossed the
In 1815,
In the late 1830s, initial contact occurred with the
Later under
Today, Swati people reside in both Eswatini and South Africa. People of Swati descent in South Africa are typically identifiable by speaking
Identity
The Kings of Eswatini date back to some considerable time to when the royal line of
Culture
Dancing and singing, including praise-singing, are prominent in Swazi culture. Pottery and carving were minor arts. Swazi traditional marriage is called umtsimba; it is usually on a weekend in the dry season (June to August). The bride and her relatives go to the groom's homestead on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, the bridal party sit by a nearby river and eat goat or cow meat offered by the groom's family; in the afternoon, they dance in the groom's homestead. On Sunday morning, the bride, with her female relatives, stabs the ground with a spear at the groom's cattle kraal; later she is smeared with red ochre. The smearing is the high point of marriage: no woman can be smeared twice. The bride presents gifts to her husband and his relatives.[3] Umhlanga is one of the most well-known cultural events in Eswatini held in August/September for young unmarried girls to pay homage to the Ndlovukati. Incwala is another Swazi cultural event held in December/January, depending on the phases of the moon. This ceremony, also known as the "First Fruits" ceremony, marks the King's tasting of the new harvest.[4]
Religion
The traditional Swazi religion recognizes a supreme God/creator in its pure form while the ancestors are recognized. The Swazi religion is based on a creator known as Mvelincanti (he who was there from the beginning). Most Swazis intertwine this belief with modern day Christianity that was brought by the missionaries. Many continue to practice their traditional spiritual beliefs. Spiritual rituals are performed at the level of family associated with birth, death and marriage.[5]
See also
- Umtsimba – marriage ceremony
References
- ^ "Terence Sibiya's Swaziland pages, Swazi People". Archived from the original on 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
- ^ "Culture of Swaziland – history, people, women, beliefs, food, family, social, dress, marriage". Everyculture.com. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
- ^ "Swaziland National Trust Commission – Cultural Resources – Swazi Culture". Sntc.org.sz. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
- ^ "CULTURAL RESOURCES: Swazi Culture The Incwala or Kingship Ceremony". Sntc.org.sz. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- ISBN 0313032254.