Traditional Customs and religions, Swaziland

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As with many developing countries, Swaziland presents a mixture of traditional customs and modern practices. But the old ways are retained and result in the traveller being greeted by people who are courteous, friendly and proud to be Swazi.
So it is that the visitor will often see Swazis dressed in the "mahiya" the colouful national costume, often complemented with a shield, knobsticks and, sometimes, spears. Married women may still wear the traditional "beehive" hair style.
Some swazis have embraced Christianity which in not necessarily in conflict with traditional beliefs. The latter involves a belief in Mkhulumnchanti - he who was there before everything else - and in life after death. Family ancestors are respected and are considered to continue to play in the life of the family.

The rites, rituals and customs which preserve the traditional rules prescribe codes of social behaviour through every stage of person's life. They provide practical solutions to many problems which bedevil societies elsewhere.

From the youngest age, Swazi children are required to contribute to activities of the family group. Small boys herd the cattle; young girls have domestic chores or must care for younger brothers and sisters. An important attitude, which is taught from an early age, is respect for the child's elders.

Chastity is considered most important amongst Swazi girls and there are strict rule governing courtship. Marriage involves lobola; a dowry or gift to the brides parents; payable by the groom. This payment is usually in the form of cattle; in Africa cattle are traditionally considered to be wealth, and the number of cattle paid by the groom denotes the status of the family.

The Lobola creates an asset within the marriage and, although custom does not recognise divorce, serves as a settlement factor in the unlikely event of the marriage being dissolved. For example, if the wife has returned to her family with a serious offence such as adultery, the lobola must be returned to the groom.

A new bride will customary care for a child from the bridegroom's family group. She will have charge of this adopted child until she has children of her own. In this way, the bride gains immediate acceptance into her new family and will be closely involved with them even if she does not fall pregnant straight away.

At every stage of Swazis life; infancy; adolescence; puberty; marriage; and adult life; and the old age; there are traditional customs to guide the community.

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» Never Ending Gardens
» The Swazi Warrior
» Sibhaca Dance
» The Swazi Homestead – Umuti
» The Sangoma and the Inyanga

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