
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa.
It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, south, and southeast.
Despite being one of Africa’s smallest nations, Eswatini is a destination that captivates travelers with its abundance of interesting facts and rich history.
Eswatini’s economy is categorized as lower-middle income and it is a developing nation.
It is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
African Gazette curates in this post, all you need to know about the people and history of the republic of Eswatini.
History
With a history spanning the eighteenth century, Eswatini is among the world’s last absolute monarchies.
Before the Swazi Kingdom was established in the 19th century under King Sobhuza I, the nation was first inhabited by a number of indigenous groups.
The country and the Swazi take their names from Mswati II, the 19th-century king under whose rule the country was expanded and unified, its boundaries were drawn up in 1881 in the midst of the Scramble for Africa.
Following the Second Boer War, the kingdom then known as Swaziland was a British high commission territory from 1903 until September 6, 1968, when it reclaimed its entire independence.
The Kingdom of Swaziland was renamed as the Kingdom of Eswatini in April 2018, adopting the name that is widely used in Swaziland.
Government
King Mswati III has ruled the country since 1986. It is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.
Elections to determine the majority in the Senate and the House of Assembly are held every five years, and political parties are not allowed to run.
Economy
Eswatini’s economy is mostly focused on agriculture, with a lot of people engaging in subsistence farming.
Cotton, citrus fruits, and sugarcane are exported from the nation and this sector serves as a major provider of the country’s employment.
Additionally, Eswatini has a tiny manufacturing sector, mostly focused on the processing of sugar and textiles.
It is a member of the Southern African Customs Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, its main local trading partner is South Africa.
The currency of Eswatini is the Lilangeni (SZL), which is pegged to the South African Rand (ZAR).
Language
Eswatini’s official languages are English and Swati.
While English is used in government and education, the majority of people speak Swati, also known as siSwati, which is a Bantu language.
Population
The Republic of Eswatini boast a population of about is 1.2 million people.
In comparison to other African countries, the population of the country is comparatively small.
The majority of people living in Eswatini are of Swazi ethnicity, with a tiny percentage of White Africans and Zulus, who are primarily of British and Afrikaner ancestry.
Location
Located in Southern Africa, Eswatini is a landlocked nation that borders South Africa to the north, west, south, and southeast as well as Mozambique to the northeast.
Despite being one of Africa’s smallest nations, Eswatini has a varied climate and terrain, with hot, dry lowlands and cool, mountainous highlands.
Beliefs
The majority of the population in Eswatini practices Christianity, with various denominations represented.
Traditional beliefs and practices also play a significant role in Swazi culture, including ceremonies such as the Umhlanga which is a Reed Dance and Incwala, a kinship Ceremony.
Culture
Swazi culture is characterized by a strong sense of tradition and respect for the monarchy.
Traditional music and dance are important aspects of Swazi culture, with the marimba and dance styles such as the Sibhaca being popular.
The Swazi people are known for their colorful traditional attire, including the emahiya, a cloth wrappe around the body by women.
The two most significant festivals in the country are umhlanga, the reed dance, which takes place in August or September, and incwala, the kingship dance, which takes place in December or January.
The cuisine of Eswatini is influenced by traditional Swazi dishes as well as Western and South African flavors.
Staple foods include maize meal (pap), meat such as beef, chicken, or goat and vegetables.
Traditional dishes include sidvudvu which is pumpkin porridge and Sishwala, a sour porridge made from fermented maize.
Tourism
Eswatini has several natural attractions, including the Ezulwini Valley, a.k.a Valley of Heaven, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and Malolotja Nature Reserve.
The country is also known for its cultural festivals and events, such as the Umhlanga, Reed Dance and the Bushfire Festival.
Sports
Rugby union, cricket, and football are popular team sports in Eswatini.
Ever since sending athletes to the Summer Olympics in 1972, Eswatinia has failed to bring home a medal.
At the Commonwealth Games, the nation has medals in both the marathon and boxing.
The largest athletic venue is the Somhlolo National Stadium.
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