King's Birthday Celebrations in Swaziland

The birthday of His Majesty King Sobhuza II was celebrated each year in different parts of the kingdom. It was an opportunity to honour the King in rural areas in which traditional Swazi regiments saluted him and "Sibhaca" dances were held, among others. The King, in his capacity as Chief Inspector of the Royal Swaziland Police would appear in his uniform, an unusual sight as for all other occasions he would wear Swazi traditional costume. The photos on this page show the celebrations as they were held in Siteki, in the east of the country.

The "emabutfo" or traditional regiments would enter, singing, brandishing their shields, spears, battle axes and fighting sticks. The King's wives and daughters would arrive in buses and finally the King himself arrived in an open Land Rover, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police. He would climb the dais, giving a military salute while Swaziland's National Anthem was being played. The King then inspected a Guard of Honour of officers of the Royal Swaziland Police, an opportunity to give them well earned recognition. The traditional regiments then filed past the dais where the King saluted them, while they gave the traditional Royal salute: a high-pitched whisle while lifting the shields above their heads.

The King would leave after this, but the festivities continued; different "Sibhaca" groups would perform their vigourous stamping warrior's dances to the sound of singing and large drums.

	Sibhaca dance group	"Emabutfo" enter	Swazi warriors	King's salute
	Guard of Honour	King's daughters	Royal salute	March past
	The King leaves	"Emabutfo" march	Swazi warrior	Sibhaca dance

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