Photos from Our World

People of Swaziland

The Swazi people are distinguished by their friendliness and were always more than happy to pose for the camera. A dignified and handsome people, they were a great subject for portrait photography. This is a small selection of the many portraits I took in the different districts of the country.

Traditionally the men would spend long hours on their appearance and this included working on the traditional hairstyle, in which he bleached his hair and straightened it by sitting under a waterfall. This style could occasionally still be seen. Another distinct hair stylef that worn by a "sangoma" or traditional healer, in ringlets that are smeared with grease and red ochre. The male "inyanga", mainly a herbalist, may also wear his hair in small braids.

The Swazi are masters in making themselves look good during the many different traditional ceremonies that take place. During Easter the Native African churches ("Emazayoni" or Zionist churches) come together in Lobamba and their members, like those of the Nazareth Church, look very impressive. A member of one of the traditional "Emabulfo" regiments uses a piece of foam to prevent drafts as a headdress and during the iNcwala or First Fruits Ceremony elaborate head dresses made with feathers and pelt may be worn.

	Traditional hairstyle	A "Sangoma"	Playing "Makhweyane"	Young Swazi man
	"uMcwasho" girl	"Zionist" pastor	Church woman	Elderly man
	Man from Mashobeni	Traditional man	"iNyanga"	iNcwala headdress

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