Swaziland's Royal villages

Although Mbabane is Swaziland's capital, it's Royal Capital is Lobamba, the village of the "Ndlovukati" (She-elephant) or Queen Mother. Because King Sobhuza II's real mother had of course long ago died, one of his senior wives had taken this role. Her residence was right in the centre of a very traditional village, with the typical beehive grass huts called "gucqasithandaze" (kneel and pray). There are also the enclosures for the "emabutfo", traditional age-grade regiments with its "emalawu" huts for the men. Outside the traditional village, across the main highway, is Swaziland's Parliament building and nearby its Somhlolo National Stadium.

The Mdzimba mountains across the Usutshwana or Little Usutu River near Lobamba, contain the burial caves of Swazi kings, including the late King Sobhuza II. The road leading between the mountain range and the river leads to Lozitha, another Royal village, also a Reasidence of the Queen Mother. Continuing further east is the Royal village that was the residence of King Sobhuza II, Masundwini, south of Matsapha. It had a modest bungalow where the King lived. And also not far from Matsapha is Zombode (Zombodze); Old Zombodze used to be a Royal village as well, with a hill, where early Swazi Kings were buried behind it. Nearby is Umtilane Falls, a scenic waterfall on the river with the same name.

	Regimental huts	Queen Mother's kraal	Lobamba housing	Parliament Building
	Near Lobamba	Mdzimba mountains	Usutshwana river	Herd boys
	Lozitha	Masundwini	Old Zombodze	Umtilane Falls

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