Festivals & Events

1. Incwala

   Incwala (the kingship ceremony)

   Usage

   The great national ceremony held around the summer solstice, lasting about a month. Photography and dress rules apply at royal ceremonies; follow local guidance.

   Grammar Note

   kuhlamahlama and umdvutjulwa.

2. Incwala ngumkhuba lomkhulu webukhosi.

   Incwala is the great ceremony of kingship.

   Usage

   A sentence for explaining what Incwala is

   Grammar Note

   ngu- is the "is a" copula.

3. Lusekwane

   Lusekwane (the branch-cutting part of Incwala)

   Usage

   A part of Incwala in which young men cut and carry branches

   Grammar Note

   Photography and dress rules apply at royal ceremonies; follow local guidance.

4. Umhlanga

   Umhlanga (the Reed Dance)

   Usage

   An annual ceremony for young women, held around late August or September, in which they cut reeds and dance. Photography and dress rules apply at royal ceremonies; follow local guidance.

   Grammar Note

   umhlanga means "reed". It is not the same event as the similarly named Zulu ceremony in South Africa.

5. Umhlanga ngumcimbi welisiko lemaSwati.

   Umhlanga is a ceremony of Swati tradition.

   Usage

   A sentence introducing Umhlanga

   Grammar Note

   umcimbi is "event", lisiko is "custom".

6. Lomcimbi uba minyaka yonkhe.

   This event is held every year.

   Usage

   A sentence saying that an event happens every year

   Grammar Note

   minyaka yonkhe means "every year".

7. Ngifuna kubona Umhlanga.

   I want to see the Umhlanga.

   Usage

   Used to say you would like to watch the ceremony; check the dates locally

   Grammar Note

   ngi-funa (I want) + ku-bona (to see) + Umhlanga.

8. Umkhosi weBuganu

   Umkhosi weBuganu (the Marula Festival)

   Usage

   A festival of women at the royal residences, with gifts of marula drink and food and dancing, over three days

   Grammar Note

   umkhosi means "festival". Photography and dress rules apply at royal ceremonies; follow local guidance.

9. Umkhosi weBuganu ngumkhosi wekugubha sivuno sekucala.

   The Buganu festival celebrates the first harvest.

   Usage

   A sentence explaining what the festival is for

   Grammar Note

   kugubha is "to celebrate", sivuno is "harvest".

10. Umtsimba

    Umtsimba (the traditional Swati wedding)

    Usage

    A traditional wedding lasting several days, in which the bride is escorted from her home to her husband's

    Grammar Note

    "to dance the umtsimba".

11. Umtsimba ngumshado wesiSwati.

    Umtsimba is the Swati wedding.

    Usage

    A sentence explaining what kind of wedding this is

    Grammar Note

    umshado is "wedding". The S of siSwati is capitalised.

12. Khisimusi

    Christmas

    Usage

    December 25, a public holiday when many people go home to their families

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English Christmas.

13. Umnyaka Lomusha

    New Year

    Usage

    January 1, a public holiday

    Grammar Note

    umnyaka is "year" and lomusha is "new".

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