Editing Eswatini (section)

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Eswatini}}
{{see also|Music of Eswatini}}
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2018}}
[[File:King of Swaziland.jpg|thumb|upright|King [[Mswati III]] at the [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|reed dance festival]], where he will choose his next wife]]

The principal Swazi social unit is the homestead, a traditional beehive hut thatched with dry grass. In a polygamous homestead, each wife has her own hut and yard surrounded by reed fences. There are three structures for sleeping, cooking, and storage (brewing beer). Larger homesteads also have structures used as bachelors' quarters and guest accommodation. Central to the traditional homestead is the cattle [[byre]], a circular area enclosed by large logs, interspersed with branches. The cattle byre has ritual as well as practical significance as a store of wealth and symbol of prestige. It contains sealed grain pits. Facing the cattle byre is the great hut which is occupied by the mother of the headman. The headman is central to all homestead affairs, and he is often [[Polygamy|polygamous]]. He leads through example and advises his wives on all social affairs of the home, as well as seeing to the well-being of the family. He also spends time socialising with the young boys, who are often his sons or close relatives, advising them on the expectations of growing up and manhood.

The [[Traditional healers of Southern Africa|sangoma]] is a traditional diviner chosen by the ancestors of that particular family. The training of the sangoma is called "kwetfwasa". At the end of the training, a graduation ceremony takes place where all the local sangoma come together for feasting and dancing. The diviner is consulted for various purposes, such as determining the cause of sickness or even death. His diagnosis is based on "kubhula", a process of communication, through trance, with the natural superpowers. The inyanga (a medical and pharmaceutical specialist in western terms) possesses the bone throwing skill ("kushaya ematsambo") used to determine the cause of the sickness.

The most important cultural event in Eswatini is the [[Incwala]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Incwala |url=https://www.gov.sz/index.php/component/content/article/127-home-affairs/2369-the-annual-incwala-ceremony-begins?Itemid=799 |website=The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini}}</ref> It is held on the fourth day after the full moon nearest the longest day, 21 December. Incwala is often translated in English as "first fruits ceremony", but the king's tasting of the new harvest is only one aspect among many in this long pageant. Incwala is best translated as "Kingship Ceremony": when there is no king, there is no incwala. It is a crime for any other person to hold an Incwala. Every Swazi may take part in the public parts of the Incwala. The climax of the event is the fourth day of the Big Incwala. The key figures are the king, queen mother, royal wives and children, the royal governors ([[InDuna|indunas]]), the chiefs, the regiments, and the "bemanti" or "water people".

Eswatini's most well-known cultural event is the annual [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|Umhlanga Reed Dance]]. In the eight-day ceremony, girls cut reeds, present them to the Queen Mother and then dance [[Toplessness|bare-breasted]]. It is done in late August or early September. Only childless, unmarried girls can take part. The aims of the ceremony are to preserve girls' [[Sexual abstinence|chastity]], provide tribute labour for the Queen Mother and to encourage solidarity by working together. The royal family appoints a commoner maiden to be "induna" (captain) of the girls and she announces the dates of the annual ceremony over the radio. The chosen induna is expected to be an expert dancer and knowledgeable on royal protocol. One of the king's daughters acts as her counterpart during the ceremony. The Reed Dance today is not an ancient ceremony but a development of the old "[[umchwasho]]" custom. In "umchwasho", all young girls were placed in a female age-regiment. If any girl became pregnant outside of marriage, her family paid a fine of one cow to the local chief. After a number of years, when the girls had reached a marriageable age, they would perform labour service for the queen mother, ending with dancing and feasting. The country was under the rite of "umchwasho" until 2005.

Eswatini is also known for a strong presence in the handcrafts industry. The formalised handcraft businesses of Eswatini employ over 2,500 people, many of whom are women.<ref>''TechnoServe Swaziland Handcrafts Impact Study'', February 2011</ref> The products are unique and reflect the culture of Eswatini, ranging from housewares, to artistic decorations, to complex glass, stone or wood artwork.

===Sport===
{{further|Eswatini at the Olympics|Eswatini at the Commonwealth Games}}
Eswatini has sent athletes to the [[Summer Olympics]] since 1972 but is yet to win a medal. The country has won medals in boxing and marathon at the [[Commonwealth Games]]. Team sports popular in Eswatini include [[Football in Eswatini|football]], [[Eswatini Cricket Association|cricket]] and [[Eswatini Rugby Union|rugby union]]. The [[Somhlolo National Stadium]] is the largest sporting venue.