The cheerful, friendly Swazi people have preserved their rich culture and traditions as a vital element in their day-to-day lives and colorful ceremonies are held every year to celebrate the Swazi traditions. The Swazi people are united by culture and values and the Marula or Buganu Festival, also locally known as ‘Emaganwini’, is one of them. Such events have kept this one tribe nation united and inseparable, making it the unique destination that it is.

The Swazis are united in song and dance during this festival, particularly the women who are the brewers of the marula beer. It’s all about dancing and celebrating the provision of the fruit that is not only used for the beer but also for different purposes such as skin care products.

• The Buganu Festival in Eswatini

  The Marula season begins each year in mid February and continues until May, bringing with it a celebration of the harvest of the marula fruit. Once the green fruits fall to the ground, women and children gather and store them until they ripen to a creamy yellow colour. The fruits are then placed into water, sugar is added and it is fermented, and distilled into a beer. This potent alcoholic mixture is called marula beer or buganu.

  The Kingdom of Eswatini celebrates the start of the Marula season with the annual Buganu festival. The festival is increasing in popularity, and swiftly becoming one of the country’s most exciting traditional ceremonies. Each year King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi, the Queen Mother, make their way to various regions of the Kingdom to celebrate the beginning of the Marula Season.