iNgwenyama (, pl. tiNgewnyama, also Ingwenyama or Inkosi[Kuper, Hilda (1980 1947). An African Aristocracy. Rank Among the Swazi facsimile. Africana Publishing Company for the International African Institute.]
The current king is Mswati III, who has reigned since 1986. The annual budget allocated to the King and the royal household amounts to $61 million.
Etymology
Ingwenyama means "Lion" in
Swazi language but in an honorific sense (akin to Arabic equivalent word,
sayyid), as opposed to
libhubesi, used to refer to lions in the literal sense. The title is sometimes written
Ingwenyama,
iNgwenyama, or
ingweinyama, with the prefix
i- (plural
ti-, tiNgweniyama), meaning "the king".
Powers
Economic
The iNgweinyama owns all
in Eswatini except for those owned by private corporations. The other aspects of mining are also controlled by the iNgwenyama.
Administrative
The iNgwenyama can appoint 20 (out of a maximum of 31) senators in the Senate of Eswatini and 10 (out of a maximum of 76) members of the House of Assembly of Eswatini.
The iNgwenyama is also the head of the judicial system and the Chairman of the Swazi National Council.
Local officials that are responsible for the governance of Eswatini are either appointed by the iNgwenyama, or their superiors are.
Cultural
Other powers of the iNgwenyama include allocating land, initiating national gatherings, wealth, organizing social events, and taking part in rituals.
The iNgwenyama has royal praise singers called
. The griots appear at public events and sing about the virtues of the Ngwenyama.
Any offence against the Ngwenyama or
Ndlovukati or their property is considered a heinous crime. It is illegal to wear the ruler's clothes, use their medicines, or be within a certain distance of them. Adultery with the Ndlovukati is treason, and the Ngwenyama can exile any citizen for any reason.
Religious importance
During the
Incwala, the Ngwenyama splits the
Sacred waters to the east and west to signal the end of the last year. On the second day of the Incwala, youths gather special branches and place them in a special sanctuary. The Ngwenyama then sings with his subjects in the sanctuary, thus reaffirming their loyalty. Later the Ngwenyama lights a fire. The purpose of the festival is to secure the prosperity of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The Ngwenyama is also sometimes believed to be the cause of violent
rain.
History
Sobhuza II played an important role in the modernization of Eswatini. In the past, the royalist Imbokodvo National Movement consistently won the vast majority of seats while political parties were legal, thus gaining total control over the government.
iNgwenyama
Mswati III compromised the traditional tinkundla system, replacing parts of the system with modern Eswatini institutions.
Succession
The iNgwenyama is traditionally succeeded by one of his male sons. The heir is chosen based on the virtue of his mother.
See also
-
List of monarchs of Eswatini
