Africa-Press – Eswatini. Fatigue from walking and dancing overnight after walking for slightly over 14 kilometres from Ngabezweni Royal Residence to Nhlambeni, where Ingaja cut the sacred Lusekwane shrubs, did not deter thousands of young warriors from gallantly displaying their ‘trees’ in front of His Majesty King Mswati III at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday.
Throngs of Ingaja, who started pouring into the royal residence from early as 5am, took turns to deliver Lusekwane shrubs inside the Ludzidzini cattle byre, while singing and chanting much to amusement of tourists, who also converged at the country’s ‘traditional capital’ to partake in the historic Incwala ceremony.
The ceremony, which celebrates Kingship, continues to attract thousands of Emaswati ahead of the highly-anticipated main day to be held tomorrow.
His Majesty King Mswati III was in the company of Emabutfo, sigodlo and members of the public who joined in song and dance while the delivery of Lusekwane shrubs continued till late in the afternoon. Senior citizens, captains of industry, cabinet ministers and dignitaries also honoured the long-standing cultural tradition which continues to be a uniting factor for the kingdom of Eswatini.
True to the King’s command as conveyed by Indvuna Finyeza Mncina to respectfully walk in song and dance when fetching the instrumental shrubs, the ‘long mile’ was incident-free.
When conveying the King’s call, at Ngabezweni Royal Residence, Mncina had enunciated that Ingaja were expected to remain respectful at all times, by obeying instructions from leaders from their respective communities and chiefdoms as per an order from chiefs.
Kwaluseni Member of Parliament (MP) Sifiso Shongwe, who has religiously attended Incwala for the past three years, was in awe over the continued loyalty of young warriors to Their Majesties. He said it was impressive that Ingaja remained allegiant to Eswatini culture, which has stood the test of time and continued to be revered for hundreds of years.
“In my experience of delivering Lusekwane, I have been humbled by the respect and loyalty to Eswatini culture and King. I am enjoying every moment while paying allegiance to the King and country,” Shongwe emphasised.
Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini also sang like a canary as he appreciated the impressive attendance of Ingaja and members of the public together with tourists alike to witness the revered 2023 Incwala. He said attendance at the Incwala continued to show that the people of Eswatini were loyal to the King and Tinkhundla System of Democracy, which has continued to ensure that Eswatini enjoys tranquil peace and harmony.
“The attendance is indeed a true sign of how the people of Eswatini love their King and culture. We have once again been blessed by the rain, which has made the journey much more interesting. We are well led under the guidance of His Majesty King Mswati III,” said Dlamini.
The advice which had been communicated by Mncina on behalf of the King also aligned with the message that had been earlier communicated by Indvuna Phanginjobo Matisa when commissioning Ingaja from the northern Hhohho region on Christmas Day.
Matisa had also instructed Ingaja to always remain respectful to the King, sigodlo and entire Eswatini nation in order to avoid attracting curses due to continued non-defiance of leaders who were blessed by the Almighty God.
“We have done what the King had instructed us, we have come back with quality Lusekwane, Bayethe,” chanted Ingaja much to the amusement of onlookers who were littered all over the royal residence.
The rain, which had been christened as a moisturiser of the journey, continued to drizzle for the better part of the morning as the ceremony proceeded.
Umbufto Shiy’mbabane from Inyatsi Regiment also echoed that the rain had always blessed the Incwala of 2023 from the beginning, which was about a fortnight ago. He delved on the impressive attendance to the extent that he opined who he saw some of his peers that had not been part of Incwala for a while, which was also historic.
“The wit and wisdom of His Majesty King Mswati III is evident with the attendance of Ingaja, Emabutfo and all sectors of society. Bayethe Wena Waphakathi,” he added.
Over 400 Ingaja from SA, grateful to King
Ingaja from South Africa, particularly in the chiefdoms where His Majesty King Mswati III installed chiefs, also found it prudent to pay allegiance to Their Majesties by attending Incwala in their numbers.
Prince Sicelo Dlamini disclosed that they voluntarily made their way to Eswatini from mainly Mpumalanga to attend Incwala because they found it important to honour the King after learning from their respective chiefs about the blessing and guidance that comes with adhering to their leaders at all times.
He said Their Majesties, out of generosity and respect for their people, had offered the traditional regalia for Ingaja to use during the course of the highly-respected annual ceremony.
He disclosed that the Ingaja had been accompanied by some of the chiefs based in South Africa, and other senior warriors who found it fit to attend Incwala to honour Their Majesties as their King.
“The Ingaja are here to stay in touch with their roots and also get to know more about Eswatini cultural traditions since it is where they belong,” briefly said Dlamini.
Prince Nkomozethu said as chiefs they found it crucial to attend Incwala because it shows respect to the King as their leader.
He said they were grateful to Ingaja for continually honouring the King because he remains their leader even though residing in a different country, the Republic of South Africa.
He mentioned that in the past, if one of the chiefs in the neighbouring republic did not attend Incwala, they would be visited by a team from the country to check on their welfare, which shows how much the King cared about his people.
“We are happy to be here to revive our cultural traditions and also confirm that we remain loyal to His Majesty King Mswati III,” the prince emphasised.
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