Incwala

Swazi warriors dancing incwala

Incwala (Swazi: [iᵑǀwala]) is the main ritual of kingship in the Kingdom of Eswatini.[1][2] This is a national event that takes place during the summer solstice.[3] The main participant in incwala is the King of Eswatini; when there is no king there is no incwala.[4] Incwala takes place over a period of time of about a month, starting 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 age old tradition.

  1. ^ "Incwala Festival | The Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland)". The Kingdom of Eswatini. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  2. ^ Swaziland National Trust Commission. "The Incwala or Kingship Ceremony". Archived from the original on 2006-04-26. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  3. ^ Siyinqaba (1984). "The Swazi Monarchy" (PDF). Africa Insight. 14 (1): 14–16.
  4. ^ Hilda Kuper (1944). "A ritual of kingship among the Swazi". Journal of the International African Institute. 14 (5).