Incwala 2019 recently concluded on January 4th 2020 at Engabezweni Royal Residence, Ezulwini, Hhohho Eswatini with His Majesty King Mswati III during the dispersing of the Ingatja(men regiment) following a successful Incwala festival.
A recap of #Incwala2019— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) January 5, 2020
1. The water party is commissioned- Nov. 2019
2. On the return of the water party, the Little Incwala begins as His Majesty leads regiments in the various Royal Residences countrywide while Her Majesty leads the dancing at Ludzidzini- 27 Nov. 2019 pic.twitter.com/2uZOrW4vQm
In his first speech of the year to the Kingdom, His Majesty called for unity and peace amongst all Emaswati especially in the event of diverse opinions and bring the nation to a national dialogue instead of resulting to world.
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| Photo credits: Prince Bandzile/Instagram/Daniel Toro |
He also commended the nations for being known worldwide as one of the most peaceful nations, for maintaining its traditions, loving its culture and involving the youth and younger generations in this times.
Incwala 2019 in November 2019 with the seclusion of Ingwenyama and the beginning of traditional rites. This is the Kingdom's most important and long lasting cultural and traditional events in its calendar. Yearly there is no particular fixed day for it, Incwala begins as soon as a full moon is sighted between the months of November and December.
It emphasises on rain dancing which influences agricultural production "First fruit season" and in previous decades population control which were dominant in the indigenous governance systems within the Southern African region. It also emphasizes on the ritual of the kingship
The king's seclusion is a period of cleansing, renewal and regeneration for which Incwala is also known for. During this time the Bemanti(people of the water) and Belwandle (people of the sea) which are made of national male chiefs from the Ndwandwe clan and male members of the Matsebula and Motsa families who carry vessels to fetch water from the sea, river or ocean in neighbouring regions.
Incwala is divided up into various events with a main one on its third week. We have the little Incwala which takes place at Ludzidzini Royal Residence in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother. This is the first event after the sacred water has been brought back to Ludzidzini. According to Wikipedia "The regiments present wear semi-Incwala dress, the graceful cloaks of cattle-tails hang from the shoulders to the waist, flowing tails are tied to the right arms, white feathers and magnificent black plumes shine in their hair, their loin coverings are of leopard skin. The costume resembles war dress, but at the Incwala men may only carry plain sticks (imizaca, umzaca singular) instead of spears and clubs (although these are occasionally concealed behind their shields). The restriction on dangerous weapons is to guard against the possibility that fighting might break out, since excitement runs high. The veterans slowly sing the first of the sacred songs known as the 'hand song." The women come through the upper entrance of the cattle byre to join in the singing and dancing. The wives of the King stand in order of seniority in the front row opposite the regiments. They flaunt new shawls and newly blackened skirts (tidziya plural). Behind them is the Indlovukazi, the Queen Mother with her retainers and the co-wives of the late King. The sacred songs of the Little Incwala are followed by a number of solemn songs known as imigubho, which are rich in historical allusions and moral precepts. Imigubho are also sung at other gatherings at the capital or homesteads of chiefs. The end is marked by the singing of incaba kancofula the national anthem of the Swazi. An interim period follows for about 15 days in different royal residences and imiphakatsi around the country where incwala songs are sung."
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| Incwala 2019 with HRH Inkhosikati LaNgangaza and Mrs. Africa 2019 Lucia Ochan |
After the little Incwala, The big Incwala begins with the collection of Lusekwane(the sacred tree) from the Egundvwini royal kraal near the Bulunga Mountains, Timbondvo, catching of bull, main Incwala Rain dance day and burning of the log.
3. From Ngabezweni Royal Residence, His Majesty commissions Ingatja to fetch the sacred shrub, Lusekwane.- Dec. 2019— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) January 5, 2020
4. Ingatja delivers Lusekwane in front of His Majesty at Ludzidzini Royal Residence- 13 Dec. 2019#Incwala2019 pic.twitter.com/uzzU5NRowm
His Majesty leads and commissions the Ingatja, (young male regiment) to collect the sacred element of Incwala, Lusekwane, which is to stay fresh throughout the pilgrimage indicating purity of young males. This is important as only pure male teens and youth can fetch the lusekwane as this is to distinguish the ' impure' from the 'pure'; a distinction that is drawn between men "who have spent their strength in children or have intrigued with married women and youths who, though they have had love affairs, have not made any woman pregnant".
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| Royal sisters TRH Princess Nkhosiyenzile and Princess Nikudumo getting ready |
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| HRH Princess Nkhosiyenzile |
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| Royal sisters: TRH Princess Buhlebetive and Princess Nkhosiyenzile |
The sacred shrubs are used to build a sacred enclosure for the main event of the kingship. The lusekwane is cut, at night in the presence of the moon and brought back in the morning to the royal capital. After the return of the young warriors, they collect imbondvo, the leaves of a shrub that grows near the capital. The sacred enclosure (inhlambelo) is built with the lusekwane and the imbondvo at the bottom.
This day is marked especially by the fighting of the bull called ‘’umdvutjulwa’’. The beast must be caught in the hands of the youths who fetched the sacred tree. Councillors drive it along with the other beasts to make it tractable, through the narrow doorway of the inhlambelo, and all the other animals come out after a few seconds. The 'pure' stand tense, ready to pounce as the umdvutshulwa emerges and pummel it with their strong young hands. To throw the bull with naked hands is a trial of strength and a test of purity. Incwala is for young men what Umhlanga is for young maiden.
You can read more here: Swazi Observer, Swazi Observer 2