Children of Swaziland

Swazi kids are, as everywhere else, happy and cheerful when they live with their famlies; it is quite common for children not to stay with their parents but with other relatives and in the extended families all have tasks to do, although there is plenty time for play or go swimming in the river also. Girls learn from an early age the role of women in this society, looking after their younger siblings and helping around the house. Boys often have to look after their father's cattle and sometimes even can be seen along the roads trying to sell handcrafted wooden bowls, performing impromptu "sibhaca" dancing to attract attention.

Children are involved in the traditions from an early age too; small girls can often be seen in the traditional "luvadla" skirts and, when a bit older, participate in the "uMhlanga" (Reed Dance) and uMcwasho age-grade ceremonies and young boys, who often dress only in the "emajobo" loin covering, can be seen in the iNcwala First fruits ceremony and in the above mentioned "sibhaca" dances. When the Swazi army was established, boys in miniature uniforms with toy rifles could be seen soon afterwards. There is, of course, school also and this is taken very seriously as school fees need to be paid and education is considered very important by all families.

	Girls in "luvadla"	Jumping in the river	Girls in Reed Dance	Dancing on the road
	Brother and sister	School class	Two brothers	Young "soldiers"
	Boys with binoculars	Grooming brother	Meal time	Reed Dance

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