The Swazi live in southeastern Africa, mainly in Swaziland and South Africa. There have been more Swazi people living in South Africa than in Swaziland since the late 1800s.
The Swazi people and the Kingdom of Swaziland today are named after Mswati II, who became king in 1839.
Population: 2 482 046 (2011 Census)
Regions where Swazi people live: South Africa and Swaziland
Languages: IsiSwazi, English, Afrikaans
Famous Swazi people: Mswati III (The king of Swaziland)
Traditional attire: As children, Swazi males wear lion skin and females wear string of beads and skirt of grass or cloth. Age 8 to 17 year-old males wear lion skin and start to wear a cap to cover their genitals. Age 8 to 15 year-old females wear skirt of grass or skirt and short toga of cloth, never long; bead necklaces.
Watch these videos on the Swazi South African culture:
When they marry, males wear lion skin and newly-wedded females wear a skin apron and skin skirt, and an apron is worn under the armpits. After the birth of the first child the apron is raised over one shoulder and hair is put in a bun.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.