Incwala

The Incwala ceremony is one of the most strange and unique ceremonies in Africa. It is the most important and sacred Swazi ceremony. Preformed in Lobamba in front of the Mazimba mountains sometime between november and january. This ceremony marks the beginning of the Swazi new year. The new fruit ceremony.

Rituals of the secret Incwala

One of the most spectacular ceremonies to be seen in Africa is the Incwala performed at the time of the first new moon of the year in Swaziland. What is known as the little Incwala starts at the preceding new moon. Priests are sent to all the principal rivers of Swaziland and the sea to collect water. This water is brought to the royal residence at Lobamba and is the beginning of a season of ceremonies and songs, which continues until the moon is full. Then the six days of the incwala ceremony begin. First the young boys of the nation gather at the Royal residence and sing songs of praise to the king and ask him to test them. Towards evening the King orders the youth to march 40 km to a place named Egundweni.
The march must be completed before midnight. Then in the light of the full moon each boy must cut from the Lusekwane tree the largest branch, he thinks, he can carry. With these branches on the shoulders the youth march back to the royal residence. They deposit the boughs in the great cattle kraal of Lobamba and only then can they rest and refresh themselves. The branches are used to create a bower where the secret parts of the Incwala will be performed. The full strength of the Swazi army is mustered for the ceremony, and all the principal officials of the Nation are present. They dress in special Incwala costumes of skins, and sing songs - full of sibilants and sounding like the sighing of the sea. These songs are taboo for the rest of the year. The climax of the ceremony comes when a pitch-black ox is driven into the bower and subjected to various ceremonies. Outside the youth are gathered in great excitement. The ox is suddenly driven out of the bower. In a surging mass the youth overpower the animal and carry the inert body above their heads back into the bower where parts of the expired ox are used in the rituals. A second black ox is caught by the youth and taken into the bower, but this one is eventually released. On the fourth day of the Incwala the King, who has meanwhile been in seclusion, joins the warriors in a great dance, with the woman of the royal family and court joining in. The fifth day is reserved for seclusion and meditation. No work is done. On the last day of the Incwala a huge bonfire is lit and the warriors beg the ancestral spirits to show their acceptance of the Incwala by bringing rain. On nearly every last day of Incwala rain does fall and the ceremony ends in feasting and rejoicing. The Incwala is a very complex ceremony of great significance to the Swazi. Visitors are welcome to watch but must leave during the taboo sections and they must always obey instructions from officials. No attempt must be made to record or photograph the taboo parts of the ritual.