Ngwenyama: Difference between revisions
Created a new history section |
Added more about succesion |
||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
{{Politics of Swaziland}} |
{{Politics of Swaziland}} |
||
'''Ngwenyama''' (also ''Ingwenyama'') is the title of the male ruler ([[List of Kings of Swaziland|King]]) of [[Eswatini]]. The Ngwenyama is the counterpart of the [[Ndlovukati]].<ref>Kuper, Hilda (1980 [1947]). ''An African Aristocracy. Rank Among the Swazi'' [facsimile reprint]. Africana Publishing Company for the International African Institute.</ref> The Ndlovukati can not serve as regent because the Ngwenyama must always be male.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mwalimu|first=Charles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sCoVvSxsc2YC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA334&dq=Ingwenyama&hl=en|title=Seeking Viable Grassroots Representation Mechanisms in African Constitutions: Integration of Indigenous and Modern Systems of Government in Sub-Saharan Africa|date=2009|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-1-4331-0782-5|language=en}}</ref>''Ingwenyama'' means "Lion" in [[Swati language|Swati]], but in an honorific sense, as opposed to ''libhubesi'', the usual way of referring to actual lions. |
'''Ngwenyama''' (also ''Ingwenyama'') is the title of the male ruler ([[List of Kings of Swaziland|King]]) of [[Eswatini]]. The Ngwenyama is the counterpart of the [[Ndlovukati]].<ref name=":0">Kuper, Hilda (1980 [1947]). ''An African Aristocracy. Rank Among the Swazi'' [facsimile reprint]. Africana Publishing Company for the International African Institute.</ref> The Ndlovukati can not serve as regent because the Ngwenyama must always be male.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mwalimu|first=Charles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sCoVvSxsc2YC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA334&dq=Ingwenyama&hl=en|title=Seeking Viable Grassroots Representation Mechanisms in African Constitutions: Integration of Indigenous and Modern Systems of Government in Sub-Saharan Africa|date=2009|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-1-4331-0782-5|language=en}}</ref>''Ingwenyama'' means "Lion" in [[Swati language|Swati]], but in an honorific sense, as opposed to ''libhubesi'', the usual way of referring to actual lions. |
||
The title is sometimes written ''Ingwenyama'', ''iNgwenyama'', or ''ingwenyama'', with the prefix ''i-'' (plural ''ti-'', tiNgwenyama), meaning "the king". |
The title is sometimes written ''Ingwenyama'', ''iNgwenyama'', or ''ingwenyama'', with the prefix ''i-'' (plural ''ti-'', tiNgwenyama), meaning "the king". |
||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
== Powers == |
== Powers == |
||
In [[Eswatini]] the Ngwenyama owns all [[Mineral|minerals]] in Eswatini. Except for minerals owned by [[Privately held company|private corporations]]. The |
In [[Eswatini]] the Ngwenyama owns all [[Mineral|minerals]] in Eswatini. Except for minerals owned by [[Privately held company|private corporations]]. The other aspects of mining are also controlled by the Ngwenyama.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xapTAAAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ngwenyama&hl=en|title=Information Circular|date=1925|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Ely|first=Northcutt|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jqWdlf7dWUYC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA175&dq=Ngwenyama&hl=en|title=Summary of Mining and Petroleum Laws of the World: Africa|date=1970|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Mines|language=en}}</ref> The Ngwenyama can appoint 20 senators in the [[Senate of Eswatini]] and 10 members of the House of Assembly of Eswatini.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Swaziland: Constitution and Politics|url=https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/swaziland/constitution-politics|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=The Commonwealth}}</ref> The Chairman of the [[Swazi National Council]] is also the Ngwenyama.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MYkAQAAIAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ingwenyama&q=Ingwenyama&hl=en|title=A Comparative Study of National Integrity Systems in 5 Southern African Countries|date=2007|publisher=Transparency International Zimbabwe|isbn=978-0-7974-3508-7|language=en}}</ref> Local officials that are responsible for the governance of Eswatini are either appointed by the Ngwenyama, or their superiors are appointed by the Ngwenyama.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kuper|first=Hilda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YRBqDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=King+of+Eswatini&hl=en|title=An African Aristocracy: Rank Among the Swazi|date=2018-08-16|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-99796-9|language=en}}</ref> The Ngwenyama has royal praise singers called [[Griot|griots]]. The royal praise singers would appear at public events and sing about the virtues of the Ngwenyama.<ref name=":1" /> |
||
== Religious Importance == |
== Religious Importance == |
||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
== History == |
== History == |
||
[[Sobhuza II]] played an important role in the modernization of Eswatini, not out of goodwill but to prevent revolution. The Royalist [[Imbokovdo party]] of Swaziland consistently wins the vast majority of seats, thus gaining total control over the government. This means that the Ngwenyama does not have to worry about opposition in the government.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dlamini|first=Hlengiwe Portia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Q-yDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&q=Ngwenyama&hl=en|title=A Constitutional History of the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), 1960–1982|date=2019-09-25|publisher=Springer Nature|isbn=978-3-030-24777-5|language=en}}</ref> |
[[Sobhuza II]] played an important role in the modernization of Eswatini, not out of goodwill but to prevent revolution. The Royalist [[Imbokovdo party]] of Swaziland consistently wins the vast majority of seats, thus gaining total control over the government. This means that the Ngwenyama does not have to worry about opposition in the government.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Dlamini|first=Hlengiwe Portia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Q-yDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&q=Ngwenyama&hl=en|title=A Constitutional History of the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), 1960–1982|date=2019-09-25|publisher=Springer Nature|isbn=978-3-030-24777-5|language=en}}</ref> |
||
== Succession == |
|||
The Ngwenyama will be succeeded by one of his male sons. The son which will become Ngwenyama will be chosen based off the virtue of his mother.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kuper|first=Hilda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YRBqDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=King+of+Eswatini&hl=en|title=An African Aristocracy: Rank Among the Swazi|date=2018-08-16|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-99796-9|language=en}}</ref> The Ngwenyama has ''ingatiyebukoshi'', which is the blood of kingship. If cattle is given to the Ngwenyama by the tribe his wife is from, the mother is "the mother of the people of the country." Her son, the heir to the throne, will be known as the "child of the people."<ref name=":0" /> |
|||
== See Also == |
== See Also == |
||
Revision as of 15:18, 26 January 2021
| Ngwenyama of Eswatini | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Incumbent | |
 | |
| Mswati III since 25 April 1986 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | None |
| First monarch | Ngwane III |
| Formation | 1750s |
| Residence | Lozitha Palace, Lobamba |
|
|---|
Ngwenyama (also Ingwenyama) is the title of the male ruler (King) of Eswatini. The Ngwenyama is the counterpart of the Ndlovukati.[1] The Ndlovukati can not serve as regent because the Ngwenyama must always be male.[2]Ingwenyama means "Lion" in Swati, but in an honorific sense, as opposed to libhubesi, the usual way of referring to actual lions.
The title is sometimes written Ingwenyama, iNgwenyama, or ingwenyama, with the prefix i- (plural ti-, tiNgwenyama), meaning "the king".
The current king is Mswati III.
The annual budget allocated to the King and the royal household amounts to 61 million USD[3][4]
Powers
In Eswatini the Ngwenyama owns all minerals in Eswatini. Except for minerals owned by private corporations. The other aspects of mining are also controlled by the Ngwenyama.[5][6] The Ngwenyama can appoint 20 senators in the Senate of Eswatini and 10 members of the House of Assembly of Eswatini.[7] The Chairman of the Swazi National Council is also the Ngwenyama.[8] Local officials that are responsible for the governance of Eswatini are either appointed by the Ngwenyama, or their superiors are appointed by the Ngwenyama.[9] The Ngwenyama has royal praise singers called griots. The royal praise singers would appear at public events and sing about the virtues of the Ngwenyama.[10]
Religious Importance
During the Incwala the Ngwenyama will split the sacred water to the east and west to signal the end of the last year. On the second day of the Incwala youths will gather special branches and place them in a special sanctuary. Then the Ngwenyama will sing with his subjects in the sanctuary, thus reaffirming their loyalty. Later the Ngwenyama would light a fire. The purpose of the festival was to secure the prosperity of the Kingdom of Eswatini.[11] The Ngwenyama can also cause rain.[12]
History
Sobhuza II played an important role in the modernization of Eswatini, not out of goodwill but to prevent revolution. The Royalist Imbokovdo party of Swaziland consistently wins the vast majority of seats, thus gaining total control over the government. This means that the Ngwenyama does not have to worry about opposition in the government.[10]
Succession
The Ngwenyama will be succeeded by one of his male sons. The son which will become Ngwenyama will be chosen based off the virtue of his mother.[13] The Ngwenyama has ingatiyebukoshi, which is the blood of kingship. If cattle is given to the Ngwenyama by the tribe his wife is from, the mother is "the mother of the people of the country." Her son, the heir to the throne, will be known as the "child of the people."[1]
See Also
References
- ^ a b Kuper, Hilda (1980 [1947]). An African Aristocracy. Rank Among the Swazi [facsimile reprint]. Africana Publishing Company for the International African Institute.
- ^ Mwalimu, Charles (2009). Seeking Viable Grassroots Representation Mechanisms in African Constitutions: Integration of Indigenous and Modern Systems of Government in Sub-Saharan Africa. Peter Lang. ISBN 978-1-4331-0782-5.
- ^ "amaBhungane - Cash splash for Swazi king's wings". August 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018.
- ^ France-Presse, Agence (14 May 2014). "King of impoverished Swaziland increases household budget to $61m" – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ Information Circular. 1925.
- ^ Ely, Northcutt (1970). Summary of Mining and Petroleum Laws of the World: Africa. U.S. Bureau of Mines.
- ^ "Swaziland: Constitution and Politics". The Commonwealth.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ A Comparative Study of National Integrity Systems in 5 Southern African Countries. Transparency International Zimbabwe. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7974-3508-7.
- ^ Kuper, Hilda (2018-08-16). An African Aristocracy: Rank Among the Swazi. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-99796-9.
- ^ a b Dlamini, Hlengiwe Portia (2019-09-25). A Constitutional History of the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), 1960–1982. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-030-24777-5.
- ^ Potholm, Christian P. (2021-01-08). Swaziland: The Dynamics of Political Modernization. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-31731-4.
- ^ Marwick, Brian Allan (1966). The Swazi. CUP Archive.
- ^ Kuper, Hilda (2018-08-16). An African Aristocracy: Rank Among the Swazi. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-99796-9.
 | This Eswatini-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |