People of Swaziland

The Swazi people of all ages are distinguished by their friendliness and were always more than happy to pose for the camera. A dignified and handsome people, they were a great subject for portrait photography. This is a small selection of the many portraits I took in the different districts of the country.

One of the most colourful events of the year is the uMhlanga or Reed Dance and the uMcwasho ceremony, where girls appear in full traditional dress and dance in front of the King. And the most important event of the year is the iNcwala or First Fruits ceremony, reaffirming kinship with the King, in which the men decorate themselves to dance in their traditional "emabutfo" regiments.

The women with their "sicolo" hair styles indicating her married status are sometimes more reserved but express great dignity, as are the church elders of the native African "Zionist" churches who come together in Lobamba at Easter. And as always, children are always wonderful as subjects for the camera.

	Profile portrait	Swazi girl	Man in iNcwala	School boy
	iNcwala dress	"uMcwasho" dance	Happy boy	Elderly man
	Married woman	"Zionist" pastor	Girl in "uMcwasho"	Young boy

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