BY FIONA MOTSA
MBABANE-The Cultural Village at Mantenga is a living museum of old traditions, representing a classical Eswatini lifestyle during the 1850s.
The village has been hailed by tourists and Eswatini Tourism Authority (EEA) to be the longstanding site that depicts the traditional lifestyle and customs of Eswatini since the year 1850.
The building material is strictly traditional- poles, grass, reeds, leather stripes, earth and dried cow dung.
The Mantenga Cultural Village Spokesperson Simphiwe Dlamini said the recognition from Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) was a well-deserved one.
“Promoting Eswatini has been and always will be our mission. This is why we preserve the old cultures and lifestyles of those who came before us. We have a mini village that comprises a complex of sixteen huts, each with its own specific purpose, kraals ad byres for cattle and goats, reed fences that serve as windbreaks, and various other structures.
“With the traditional artifacts on display, the village illustrates many facets of the ancient Swati way of life social, economic and religious.
“The objective of the cultural village is to enable visitors from all over the world as well as well as emaSwati from all corners of the country to visit it and to maintain a positive interest in the Eswatini cultural heritage, including language, customs and practices, rituals, dance, music, folklore, arts and crafts,” said Dlamini.
Dlamini further mentioned that after the official opening, it was named “Ligugu Lemaswati” by his Majesty King Mswati III, meaning “The pride of the Swazi People”.
“When you enter the village people, people draped in traditional regalia will warmly welcome you. The village life is vibrant and energetic and a guide will not only talk you through how the huts and traditional items were made back in the day but will might also teach you the Siswati words for the,” said Dlamini.
Dlamini also mentioned that the village is now home to Lutindzi grass cutters. “Women weavers use Lutindzi grass to weave baskets and the site is now preserved for these women who make a living out of this type of grass which grows within the village,” said Dlamini.
