Swazi Hamper

The great Swazi people, numbering around 1 million, live predominantly in the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, a landlocked country situated within South Africa. They have a rich tradition of song and dance, demonstrated as they work, as they worship and for celebratory occasions.

The Swazis are ruled by the Swazi Royal Family. The current king, King Mshwati III, has ruled since 1986. Though he is an absolute monarch, appointing the country's Prime Minister and government, he cannot choose his successor from within the Royal Family. This can only be done by the Great Council of State (the Liqoqo).

Swazi people can often be seen wearing the colourful national dress known as mahiya, together with a spear and hide-covered shield - even to work with a spear in one hand and a briefcase in the other! Despite the inevitability of modernisation, this illustrates how Swazi people have managed to retain many of their customs and traditions.