Discovering Vibrant Culture of The Eswatini: Festivals & Celebrations

History:

• Eswatini was previously known as Swaziland and gained independence from British rule in 1968.
• It is one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa, with King Mswati III as the current ruler.

Geography:

• Eswatini is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique.
• It has diverse landscapes, including mountains, savannah, and forests.

Politics and Governance:

• Eswatini is an absolute monarchy, where the king has ultimate authority and appoints the prime minister and cabinet.
• Political parties are banned, and the parliament is largely ceremonial.

Infrastructure:

• Eswatini has a limited road network, and public transportation is largely informal.
• The country has limited access to electricity, with many rural areas lacking power.

Economy:

• Eswatini’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, particularly sugarcane and forestry.
• It is also a major exporter of soft drink concentrate and has a growing manufacturing sector.

Demographics:

• Eswatini has a population of approximately 1.2 million people.
• The majority of the population is ethnic Swazi, with smaller populations of Zulu and Tsonga.

Social Indicators:

• Eswatini has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, with an estimated 27% of the population living with the disease.
• The country has a high level of income inequality, with a significant wealth gap between the ruling elite and the rest of the population.

Natural Resources:

• Eswatini has significant deposits of coal, iron ore, and diamonds, though these resources are largely untapped.

Technology:

• Eswatini has limited access to technology, with low internet penetration rates and limited access to electricity.

International Relations:

• Eswatini has close ties with South Africa and is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Country Code:

• The country code for Eswatini is +268.

Leading Newspaper:

• The leading newspaper in Eswatini is the Swazi Observer.

Problems:

• Eswatini faces significant economic challenges, including high unemployment and poverty rates.
• The country also struggles with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and limited access to healthcare.
• Political freedom and freedom of the press are limited, with journalists and activists facing harassment and intimidation.
• Eswatini has not experienced any significant terrorist attacks.

Capital:

• The capital of Eswatini is Mbabane, though the administrative capital is Lobamba.

Festivals:

• In addition to the Umhlanga Reed Dance and Incwala Festival, Eswatini also celebrates the Marula Festival, which honors the fruit of the marula tree.
• The Sibhaca Dance Festival is also an important cultural event, featuring traditional Swazi dances and music.

Specialty:

• Eswatini is known for its traditional handicrafts, including intricate beadwork, weaving, and woodcarving.
• The country is also home to several national parks, including Hlane Royal National Park and Mlawula Nature Reserve, which offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation.
• The traditional Swazi monarchy and culture are also a significant part of the country’s identity and heritage.

Resources:

1. Eswatini Government Portal: https://www.gov.sz/
2. Eswatini Tourism Authority: https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/
3. Central Bank of Eswatini: http://www.centralbank.org.sz/
4. Eswatini Environmental Authority: https://www.sea.org.sz/
5. Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre: http://www.eepar.org.sz/
6. Swazi Observer: http://www.observer.org.sz/
7. Times of Swaziland: http://www.times.co.sz/
8. UNAIDS Eswatini: https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/eswatini