Eswatini, located in South Africa, is a landlocked country. It officially changed its name from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018, in honor of King Mswati III’s ascension to the throne. Despite its small size in terms of both population and land area, it holds a unique place on the African continent.....CONTINUE READING
King Mswati, who succeeded his father King Sobhuza II in 1982, rules Eswatini with a monarchy-style government, and his reign has continued for 39 years. Currently, there is no designated successor until his eventual passing.
Despite British control from 1903 until its independence in 1968, Eswatini has managed to preserve its deeply rooted cultural traditions. The Swazi people primarily belong to two clans: Nguni and Sotho.
One of the most prevalent traditional customs in Eswatini is the five-day Nguni clan marriage ritual. Another notable cultural practice is the prohibition of women from consuming cow meat, as it is believed that doing so would make them wiser than men and more aware of life’s realities.
This belief is based on the idea that women lack the spiritual and physical strength associated with consuming cow meat, especially the brain and intestines. It is believed that if women partake in these foods, they may become disrespectful towards men.
Furthermore, women are also forbidden from eating other cow parts, such as the foot, to prevent them from developing masculine strength and courage or acquiring a sharp tongue that could jeopardize their marriages
