African Food and Art

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Southern African Country Swaziland renamed eSwatini

The Southern African Country of Swaziland no longer exists, King Mswati III renamed Swaziland eSwatini. The monarch Mswati II announced the official change in a stadium during celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Swazi independence. He explained that the name had caused some confusion, stating,"Whenever we go abroad, people refer to us as Switzerland."

King Mswati III of eSwatini
King Mswati III of eSwatini addressing the UN

The King gave no reason for the name change except Swaziland’s new name is easier for foreigners to pronounce. How do you pronounce eSwatini well say ea-swa-tea-knee, pronounce the short e in eSwatini like the letter e in bed.

ea-swa-tea-knee
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eSwatini

eSwatini Facts

eSwatini is a landlocked African country almost completely surrounded by South Africa besides a small area of land neighbored by Mozambique.

The eSwatini King, King Mswati III, has been head of the Swazi Royal Family since 1986 since he was 18 years old.

Africa’s last absolute monarch, King Mswati III, rules the nearly 1.5 million Swazi of eSwatini in South Africa.

"Land of the Swazi" people; the name "Swazi" derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swazi territory was expanded and unified.

eSwatini residence are called liSwati, singular and emaSwati, plural.

Mbabane is the capital and largest city.

Approximately 30% of adults aged 15-49 are HIV positive, eSwatini has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world.

Music and dance are entrenched in traditional Swazi culture, the Umhlanga or Reed Dance and Incwala are popular traditional ceremonies.

There are traditional songs for every occasion: weddings, royal rituals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and national festivals.

Sibhaca dance is the best-known dance in eSwatini.

In eSwatini 90% of the populatoin are Christian.

In eSwatini, women, who under traditional Swazi law are treated like children and are in effect owned by their husbands or fathers, are expected to live lives devoted to their men and families.

King Mswati III currently has 19 wives; his predecessor, his father had 125.

The King spends millions on diamond watches with a matching diamond suits, two private jets and spent 24.4 million US dollars buying his 19 wives custom Rolls Royce’s in late October 2019.

In eSwatini, around 65% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.90 a day.

eSwatini has a high unemployment rate of 47% and an uneven distribution of resources.

Swazi ethnic group account for 84% of the population.

Despite the name change from Swaziland to The Kingdom of Eswatini on May 25, 2018 this African county remains embattled economically, socially and politically.

Through the security assistance program the USA brings around six members of eSwatini military forces per year to the United States for education and training purposes.

In 1973 political parties were banned and declared terrorists by the king.

King Mswati III of eSwatini and one of his 19 wives
King Mswati III of eSwatini and one of his 19 wives

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