Photos from Our World

Making music in Swaziland

Music is everywhere in Swaziland and of a great variety. Drumming and singing accompanies the traditional "Sibhaca" dances performed by young men and the ceremonies of the traditional healers ("tangoma"). There are lots of examples of songs by both men and women, accompanying themselves by drumming or instruments like the "Makhweyane, a one-stringed bow with a calebash as sound box. The one metal string is tapped with a reed, the pitch can be changed by bending the bow and the calebash is moved away or towards the body, changing the quality of the sound. During traditional ceremonies like the iNcwala or First Fruits Ceremony the warrior regiments are summoned by a reveille blown on a trumpet, cornet or even a trombone. Traditionally a conch shell, these brass instruments were first brought to Swaziland by men who had been working in South Africa.

Children may improvise drum sets from empty tins or may make a little guitar from a piece of wood, a tin and fishing line for string. Herd boys, looking after their father's cattle, may carve "emavenge", flutes, that they play to while the time away. Girls sing songs associated with the "iMhlanga" Reed Dance and uMcwasho ceremonies and blow whistles to the beat. But "European" styles are also very popular: schools may have bands, complete with drum-majorettes and also the Royal Swaziland Police has a very smart looking band that plays at official functions.

	Police Band	Drumming and singing	Improvised drumset	Playing "Makhweyane"
	Blowing reveille	Playing guitar	Girl with Makhweyane	Boy with guitar
	Playing "Makhweyane"	Ceremonial drumming	Herdboy with flute	High School Band

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