Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

EMABUTFO APPLAUD ‘REBELS’ FOR HUMBLING THEMSELVES

By NOKUPHILA HAJI | 2024-12-12

Emabutfo have applauded those who were rebels before, for humbling themselves before Their Majesties and joining them during the little Incwala.

These were sentiments shared by some of different regiments during day 10 of Little Incwala held at Ludzidzini yesterday. The national prayer proceeded in the three royal residences being the Ludzidzini Royal Residence, Ngabezweni Royal Residence and the Mphumalanga Royal Residence.

Umbutfo Ndzalamalawu Dlamini said he appreciated that all those who were rebels and following their own paths for humbling themselves before the King. He said they were now clear as to which side their bread was buttered and about where their home is.

He said this was due to that they were coming back and humbling themselves before the King. “Some of these people are even afraid to apologise and are wasting their time in exile,” he said.
Umbutfo Mkhombane Mndzebele said many people had attended Little Incwala this year.

He said the numbers were impressive, further highlighting that people were happy. He said the nation has learnt from its mistake which was going against the King and was now ordering its steps.

“People are now doing the right thing and following their great-grandfather’s footsteps and Their Majesties. Emaswati are a nation that follow their culture and we are globally recognised for that,” he said.

Mndzebele said even those who were not taking part in the event were still going to join them and work with the King. He said the King has maintained his statute regardless of what was happening before.

Umbutfo Phindzakanengi Dlamini appreciated that he was part of this year’s Incwala ceremony and that the national prayer was proceeding well. He said he was happy to see many people attending since he was not sure about the attendance.

“This is what I enjoy the most. I will be joining Ingaja when they fetch Lusekwane under Ngengeni,” he said.

Elected Member of Parliament Tsembeni Magongo encouraged more people to attend Incwala. She said bomsalela (people who are always staying behind during events and meeting) should continue staying behind but would lose out on a lot of things. “We love what we are doing as Emaswati,” she said.

Umbutfo Celungiphindze Dlamini from Kujuluka said the national prayer was a blessing. He thanked God for the blessings that the nation received this year especially for keeping Emaswati together up until this far.

He said people should come and join them further mentioning that the event was still proceeding and everyone was allowed to attend even if they were not part of emabutfo.

“We do not join the others when the King goes to the other royal residences. We only join him when he commissions libutfo from Hhohho to fetch Lusekwane,” he said. Umbutfo Gcobisa Nxumalo said everything was beautiful and umgcumo wemajaha was impressive.

He pitied those who were not joining them but encouraged them to attend since the national prayer has not ended.

Queen mother, Cabinet
ministers in attendance

HER Majesty Indlovukazi joined the nation during day 10 of the Little Incwala.
The Queen Mother was joined by other members of the royal family including Emakhosikati, bantfwabenkhosi and Emazinyane. Cabinet ministers were also seen amongst the nation including the Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla. Members of different security forces were also dancing outside the main kraal and doing the giya dance after the completion of the prayer. As usual, the national prayer began at 5 pm and ended at 7 pm.
Sequence of the Big Incwala
n Day 1
Dispersing of regiments (Tingaja). Unmarried male youths set off from Engabezweni Royal residence and walk for 50km to cut branches of the sacred shrub (Lusekwane) under the light of the full moon, accompanied by Emabutfo.
n Day 2
Dropping the Lusekwane: the boys place their lusekwane branches in the national cattle byre. The elders weave these branches in between poles of the ‘inhlambelo’, the King’s private sanctuary.
n Day 3
Morning: Young boys cut branches of the black ‘Imbondvo’ (Red bush willow/combretum apiculatum) and these are added to the ‘Inhlambelo.’
Afternoon: A bull charges out, the Lusekwane boys catch and overpower the beast and return it to the sanctuary.
n Day 4
Main Day: All the key players perform in a spectacular pageant inside the cattle byre; the King and the regiments appear in full war-dress and dance to a number of songs. Then he emerges to throw the sacred gourd (Luselwa), which is caught on a black shield by one of the Lusekwane boys.
n Day 5
Day of Abstinence: The King sits in seclusion in the ‘great hut’. The ‘bemanti’ roam the royal capital in daylight hours, enforcing the rules of this day. No sexual contact, bathing, wearing decorations, sitting on chairs or mats, shaking hands, scratching, singing and dancing.
n Day 6
Day of the Log: The regiments march to a forest and return with firewood. The elders prepare a great fire in the centre of the cattle byre. On it, certain objects are burnt, signifying the end of the old year, while the key players dance and sing inside the cattle byre. The king remains in seclusion until the next full moon, when the ‘Lusekwane’ branches are removed and burnt.
Source: Eswatini National Trust Commission website.