Africa-Press – Eswatini. The main day of the Incwala Ceremony yesterday proceeded in a calm environment despite social media threats.
EmaSwati were joined by people from different countries across the world as they gathered inside the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre in celebration of the harvest of the first fruit. During the main day of the ceremony yesterday, the nation commemorated peace and stability, which has prevailed since Eswatini gained independence from Britain on September 6, 1968. Worth noting is that the ceremony was celebrated at full scale after restrictions that were brought by COVID-19 in the past two years.
Present during the main event were tourists from Russia, Israel, Germany, South Africa, among other countries. Some countries such as the Republic of China (Taiwan), India, Britain, among others, were represented by their ambassadors to Eswatini. Lutsango, Imbali, church leaders and warriors took part in the event, which was held under the scorching sun. Some people made it clear that threats would not deter them from attending cultural events. They wondered what cultural events had to do with the ongoing acts of violence.
Interviewed church leaders said the heavens would never discriminate against them for attending Incwala Ceremony. They said they had no other country other than Eswatini, where culture served as a symbol of unity for all. “As the Bokhololo Regiment, we feel honoured to be part of this event. We have no other country. Our participation is our way of paying true allegiance to the King. This also shows respect for our King,” they said.
Church
The church leaders further stated that they had no reason to fear anyone they never sinned against. Threats to the effect that anyone who would participate in the event would be dealt with, were circulated on social media prior to the commencement of the Little Incwala. The unknown person behind the threats introduced himself as a ‘commander.’ However, it should be noted that the threats were not taken lightly as security was intensified following two shooting incidents, where warriors were shot by unknown people. His Majesty King Mswati III also urged Ingatja and warriors to be on the lookout for the invisible enemy he referred to as timfingo. The King warned the regiment when commissioning Ingatja to fetch the sacred shrub (lusekawane).
In the first incident, a warrior umbutfo Gudlimbekelo was shot while on his way home from the Little Incwala, which was held at Ngabezweni Royal Residence. The unknown people behind the act have not yet been apprehended. In the second incident, a warrior Fana Fana Bhembe was shot four times and one bullet was lodged in the stomach, allegedly by Lino Mlandvo Doch, who was later shot dead by the security personnel in a helicopter. It should be noted that there had been many versions pertaining to the shooting as some people claiming to be eyewitnesses alleged that the deceased suspect was shot by the police, while others claimed that he was shot by security personnel who were in a helicopter after shooting the warrior.
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