The kingdom of Eswatini is a small country located in Southern Africa. The beautiful landlocked country celebrated its 50th year of independence earlier this year. Formerly known as Swaziland, the reigning King,
King Mswati III officially changed the name of the country to Eswatini which means land of the Swazis. The King is one of the few absolute monarchs in the world making him not only the king of the people but also the overseer of the country’s political and governmental issues.
In the colonial era, as a protectorate, and later as an independent country, Eswatini was long known as Swaziland. The name Swazi is the Anglicized name of an early king and nation builder, Mswati II, who ruled from 1840 to 1868. The country’s administrative center is Mbabane, the former capital of the British colonial administration.
The national capital is the seat of King Mswati III and his mother, some 11 miles from Mbabane, at Phondvo in the vicinity of Lobamba, where the houses of parliament and other national institutions are situated. In April 2018 the king announced that he was changing the official name of the country from the Kingdom of Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
For many clans in Eswatini, the cow is a very significant and powerful possession that shows one’s status and riches. The number of cattle that one can keep demonstrates their riches and stability and gains them more respect in society.
Cows are more valuable than a piece of land and can be used to acquire property rather than pay in cash. They are also used to pay the bride price and a groom is expected to present his wife to be’s family with a good number of healthy cows and gallons of fresh milk from the cows which will be used in the marriage ritual and celebration.
It is said that during ancient African days, cows were once worshipped, used for barter trade, and in exchange for gold. The principal Swazi social unit is the homestead, a traditional beehive hut thatched with dry grass. In a polygamous homestead, each wife has her own hut and yard surrounded by reed fences.
There are three structures for sleeping, cooking, and storage (brewing beer). In larger homesteads, there are also structures used as bachelors’ quarters and guest accommodation.
Central to the traditional homestead is the cattle byre, a circular area enclosed by large logs, interspaced with branches. The cattle byre has ritual as well as practical significance as a store of wealth and symbol of prestige. It contains sealed grain pits. Facing the cattle byre is the great hut which is occupied by the mother of the headman.
The headman is central to all homestead affairs and he is often polygamous. He leads through example and advises his wives on all social affairs of the home as well as seeing to the larger survival of the family.
He also spends time socializing with the young boys, who are often his sons or close relatives, advising them on the expectations of growing up and manhood.
