Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south, and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique. The nation, as well as its people, are named after the 19th century king Mswati II.

Swaziland has been continuously inhabited since prehistory. Today, the population is primarily Bantu-speaking ethnic Swazis. A British protectorate following the end of the Second Boer War, it gained independence in 1968. Swaziland is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Swaziland's economy is dominated by agriculture and subsistence farming. Growth has been hampered by the effects of HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of which is the highest in the world. Struggles between pro-democracy activists and supporters of the monarchy have also resulted in the suppression of opposition political groups and dissidents.

In 1974, the Monetary Authority of Swaziland introduced notes in denominations of 1 lilangeni, 2, 5 and 10 emalangeni, with 20 emalangeni notes following in 1978. In 1981, the Central Bank of Swaziland took over paper money production, first issuing notes commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of King Sobhuza II. Between 1982 and 1985, it introduced non-commemorative notes for E2, E5, E10, and E20. The 50 emalangeni notes were introduced in 1990. The E2 and E5 notes were replaced by coins in 1995, whilst 100 and 200 emalangeni notes were introduced in 1996 and 1998, respectively, with the E200 notes commemorating the 30th anniversary of independence


Poster about the Reed Dance
where the King often selects a new wife





Swaziland 1 Lilangeni 1974 UNC
Front: King Sobhuza II
Back: Reed Dance
The Umhlanga (Reed Dance) is a traditional dance where twenty to thirty thousand of Swaziland's maidens congregate and dance for the public. This tradition has existed for a very long time. It usually takes place around August when the weather is less harsh and the reed has matured. Thousands of maidens from all parts of Swaziland attend the reed dance.

As the girls dance, the spectators may join the dance [kugiya] or throw money at their feet in appreciation of the good dance. The king is allowed to pick one of the maidens to be his bride. On September 6, 2004, he chose a sixteen-year-old reed dance participant and finalist from Miss Teenage Swaziland as a fiancée, to join his eleven wives and one other fiancée.
Information Obtained From People and Places of the World www.galenfrysinger.com

Paramount Chief of Swaziland (1899-1968)King of Swaziland (1968-1982)

Reign -December 10, 1899 - August 21, 1982
Coronation -December 22, 1921
Born -July 22, 1899(1899-07-22)
Birthplace -Zombodze, Swaziland
Died August -21, 1982 (aged 83)
Place of death -Mbabane, Swaziland
Predecessor -Ngwane V
Queen Labotsibeni Mdluli (Queen Regent 1899-1921)
Successor -Mswati III
Consort -70 wives
Offspring -210 children
Royal House -House of Dlamini
Father -Paramount Chief Ngwane V
Mother -Queen Lomawa Ndwandwe

Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia