Culture & Etiquette

1. Kuhlonipha

   To show respect (kuhlonipha)

   Usage

   Showing respect to elders and guests; always greeting people is part of it

   Grammar Note

   An infinitive beginning with ku-. The noun is inhlonipho ("respect").

2. Inhlonipho yindlela yekutiphatsa.

   Respect is a way of behaving.

   Usage

   A sentence for talking about the idea of manners

   Grammar Note

   inhlonipho (respect) + yindlela (is a way) + yekutiphatsa (of behaving).

3. Emasiko emaSwati

   Swati customs

   Usage

   The Swati way of life, including music, food, belief and relations between people

   Grammar Note

   emasiko is "customs" (plural of lisiko). The S of maSwati is capitalised.

4. Siyawatsandza emasiko etfu.

   We love our customs.

   Usage

   A sentence saying that you value your own culture

   Grammar Note

   si-ya-wa-tsandza (we-present-them-like) + emasiko (customs) + etfu (our).

5. Kulobola lisiko lemaSwati.

   Lobola (bride-wealth) is a Swati custom.

   Usage

   A sentence explaining the custom of the groom's side giving cattle or other gifts to the bride's family

   Grammar Note

   kulobola is "to give lobola".

6. Imvunulo yesintfu

   Traditional dress

   Usage

   The traditional Swati attire worn at ceremonies and celebrations

   Grammar Note

   imvunulo is "attire" and yesintfu "of tradition".

7. Emahiya

   Emahiya (traditional cloths)

   Usage

   Traditional cloths wrapped at the waist or around the body, seen at celebrations

   Grammar Note

   emahiya is the plural of lihiya ("cloth")

8. Sibhaca

   Sibhaca (a Swati dance)

   Usage

   A Swati dance, known for its high stamping steps

   Grammar Note

   The name of a dance.

9. Ingoma yeSiswati

   A song in Siswati

   Usage

   A song sung at ceremonies and in schools

   Grammar Note

   ingoma is "song"; the plural is tingoma.

10. Kugidza

    To dance (kugidza)

    Usage

    To dance, especially a traditional dance at a wedding or celebration

    Grammar Note

    Infinitive: ku- + the stem -gidza (to dance).

11. Lilangeni

    Lilangeni (the currency of Eswatini)

    Usage

    The national currency, equal in value to the South African rand, which is also accepted

    Grammar Note

    The plural is not given because emalangeni also reads as "in days".

12. Ngwenyama

    Ngwenyama (title of the king; "the lion")

    Usage

    The traditional title of the king, always mentioned with respect

    Grammar Note

    glossed as "the lion" (treated as a separate word from ngwenya, "crocodile").

13. Indlovukati

    Indlovukati (the Queen Mother)

    Usage

    The traditional title of the king's mother, always mentioned with respect

    Grammar Note

    understood to be derived from indlovu ("elephant").

14. EmaSwati

    The Swati people

    Usage

    The people of Eswatini

    Grammar Note

    The language is siSwati.

15. Babe

    Father / Sir (respectful address for an adult man)

    Usage

    Besides "father", a respectful way to address an older man, added after the greeting

    Grammar Note

    Do not use the Zulu Baba.

16. Make

    Mother / Madam (respectful address for an adult woman)

    Usage

    Besides "mother", a respectful way to address an older woman, added after the greeting

    Grammar Note

    Do not use the Zulu Mama.

17. Mnumzane

    Sir

    Usage

    A polite form of address for a man in letters and formal settings

    Grammar Note

    Used in the letter opening "Dear Madam / Sir", together with Nkhosatane.

18. Nkhosatane

    Madam

    Usage

    A polite form of address for a woman in letters and formal settings

    Grammar Note

    Used in the letter opening "Dear Madam / Sir", together with Mnumzane.

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