By Delisa Thwala
The Incwala season is upon everyone as the commencement of the Incwala is a culmination of the safe and successful journey of the water party (Bemanti) that have been commissioned.
This was confirmed by Indvuna Fakudze, his confirmation comes shortly after members of the public alluded to have started spotting ‘Bemanti’
Meanwhile His Majesty King Mswati III has begun his seclusion era.
The king will remain away from the public eye while he prays for the country.
Before he went into isolation, he commissioned the water party, a delegation of traditional warriors that travels to Mozambique to fetch sacred water from the Indian Ocean.
The water is also used by the King, traditional authorities will announce a date in December, which will be declared a national holiday during which warriors and the nation will dance as the highlight of the Incwala ceremony.
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Under normal circumstances, the king’s first public appearance after seclusion is at the official opening of Parliament in February.
Meanwhile Fakudze said this was time for the Nation to practice forgiveness and also thank God for his protection throughout the year.
Worth mentioning is Incwala is Eswatini’s most important cultural event. A ceremony that has lasted for hundreds of years, it is one of the last remaining examples of what was previously common practice in many African countries.
It has a spiritual power that is largely lost on outsiders, and indeed many of its inner workings remain shrouded in secrecy.
Although often translated as ‘first fruits festival,’ the tasting of the first of the season’s bounty is only one part of this long rite.
Essentially this is about cleansing and renewal, and above all celebrating kingship.
Although not a tourism event per se, visitors with an interest in Eswatini culture are always welcomed.
Respect for total privacy is required on certain special days when the nation gathers for its own focus, without outside interference.
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Every Swati may take part in the public parts of the Incwala. Spectators are permitted but not actively encouraged and you may not take photographs except by special permit.
The best day to attend is Day four of the Big Incwala, when the feasting and dancing reach a climax, and you will see thousands of people including warriors in full battle regalia thronging the royal parade grounds at Eludzidzini Royal Residence in Lobamba.
The songs, dances and ritual that take place inside the royal kraal remain a matter of utmost secrecy and may not be recorded or written down.
The event takes place around the last week of December / first week of January.
The dates for the event are released relatively close to the time as they derive from ancestral astrology.
