Photos from Our World

The iNcwala or First Fruits Ceremony in Swaziland (part 5)

On the Main day of the iNcwala lenkhulu (Big iNcwala) all "emabutfo" or traditional age-grade regiments were dancing in a semicircle in the "sibaya", the huge cattle byre that is the site of the ceremony. His Majesty King Sobhuza II danced with his Balondolozi regiment while his daughters danced opposite: the unmarried girls only clad in "indlamu" bead skirts and the married women in full "sidvwaba" skin skirt. A stage had been built for visitors to sit and observe the ceremony. Pots of "tjwala", fermented maize beer were prepared for participants and guests.

During the day more and more people arrived and eventually there were hundreds of warriors dancing the slow dances. Towards late afternoon the king, accompanied by members of his "Balondolozi" regiment left, but the dance continued without interruption. Tjwala was offered to the visitors. At sunset the regiments finally marched out, each giving the piercing whistle, the Royal salute, while lifting their cowhide shields over their heads.

A few days later the final day of the ceremony took place. Early in the morning, in the sibaya, the King washed himself with water from the various rivers and the sea, carried in dishes by boys accompanying him. A fire was made and the remains of the bull, uneaten fruits, last year's bedding and clothing used by the King was ritually burnt. The regiments again danced and the King joined them for a final dance. The iNcwala ceremony came to an end: the nation was renewed and its kinship with the King was reaffirmed.

	iNcwala dance	Princesses dancing	Prince in iNcwala	Preparing "tjwala"
	iNcwala lenkhulu	Dance Bantfwabenkosi	The King leaves	Tjwala preparation
	iNcwala climax	Drinking "tjwala"	Regiments retreat	iNcwala last day

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