Lobamba

- 26.46666666666731.2Koordinaten: 26 ° 28 ' S, 31 ° 12'

Lobamba is a place in the west of Swaziland. It is the traditional capital and seat of the Swaziland National Assembly.

Geography

Lobamba lies in the valley of Ezulwini to about 700 meters above sea level. The area is relatively flat; to the east are the 1200- meter high Mdimba Mountains. Lobamba located 16 kilometers south of the capital Mbabane in Manzini District. The population is around 5,800 people.

In Lobamba are the government palace, the royal kraal, the national parliament, the National Museum and a museum dedicated to the longtime king Sobhuza II. At the site there is also the residence of the queen mother, who is regarded as Deputy Head of State; since 1983, this is Ntombi.

The two most important national festivals held annually in Lobamba or its environment instead: the Incwala Festival ( "Festival of the first fruit" ) and Umhlanga ( " reed dance ").

History

Lobamba (also Lobamba I) was a town in the south of Swaziland, where King Sobhuza I. annually the ceremony of Incwala dance held before he transferred the seat of the royal family in today's Lobamba ( Lobamba II). King Mswati II and his successor held the ceremony as well in today's Lobamba or in the vicinity. Here, every king has been assigned a specific location. Also, the current King, Mswati III. commits Incwala and Umhlanga in Lobamba.

Economy and infrastructure

Lobamba is aligned next to the representative functions on tourism. In the village there are several hotels and a youth hostel.

The village lies on the main road MR3, which connects with Mbabane and Manzini, the two largest cities of the country.

In Lobamba there is a high school.