Swaziland is an absolute monarchy with constitutional provisions and Swazi Law and Custom.The head of state is the king or Ngwenyama (lit. Lion), currently King Mswati III, who ascended to the throne in 1986 after the death of his father King Sobhuza II in 1982 and a period of regency.
The Ezulwini Valley hosts two of Swaziland’s most magnificent traditional festivals, neither of which has changed much during the past 200 years. Young girls cut and present reeds to Swaziland’s Queen Mother during the Umhlanga Reed Dance, held between August and September, while the Incwala Ceremony pays tribute to Swaziland’s royal family at Lobamba’s royal palace. Swaziland’s most popular performing arts festival, the Bushfire Festival, offers a far more modern atmosphere at the House of Fire nightclub each May.
Education in Swaziland begins with pre-school education for infants, primary, secondary and high school education for general education and training (GET) - and universities and colleges at tertiary level.