Swap+people

Swazi People History The Swazi (short for Swaziland) people have been around for centuries. They came from the kingdom of Mswati II, their king during the 1800's. They originated from Central Africa migrated into Mozambique, then into present day Swaziland. The Swazi people are a part of the Nguni group who originally migrated from Central Africa and spoke the Bantu language. The Nguni group broke into two groups and the second group settled into parts of Mozambique and Swaziland. Some of the Swazi people originated not from the Nguni tribe but from the Sotho tribe who was also from the Swaziland. Today the Swazi people live in both Swaziland and South Africa with the majority of them residing in South Africa. The Swazi people speak English, Zulu, Swati, and Afrikaans.

In the Swazi culture lots of dancing and singing takes place. They have lots of festive and colorful ceremonies where traditional dress or garments are worn. One particular ceremony is called Inc walk and it is a sacred ceremony of kingship where annually they gather to give thanksgiving prayer and atonement. This ceremony is led by the king thus the name Ceremony of Kingship. Other ceremonies include the Umhlanga which is a ceremony of reed dancing meant to attract unmarried girls whom of which the king select new brides. There is also another ceremony called first fruits, in which the king tastes the new harvest. Aside from ceremonies the Swazi people practice a few different religions. Traditional Swazi believe in God the creator, but they also believe in spirits like Mvelincanti, an ancestral spirit who reportedly was present in the beginning of creation. Children in the Swazi culture have gender specific roles. Boys work outdoors and attend the herds while the girls work indoors and help keep house and all that goes along with it. Training into these roles start as soon as children learn to talk.