Eswatini

Discover Eswatini

Eswatini's history dates back to the Stone Age, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 100,000 years. The first known inhabitants of the region were the Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were later joined by the Nguni people, who migrated from the north in the 15th century.

The Swazi people, as they are known today, emerged in the 17th century under the leadership of Ngwane III. Ngwane III united the different clans of the Nguni people and created a powerful kingdom.

The Swazi Kingdom expanded rapidly in the 19th century under the rule of King Mswati II. Mswati II was a skilled warrior and diplomat, and he was able to extend the kingdom's borders to their present size.

In 1881, the British and the Swazi signed the Swaziland Convention, which recognized the Swazi Kingdom as an independent country. However, the British also gained significant control over the kingdom's foreign policy and trade.

In 1902, the British annexed the Transvaal Republic, which bordered Swaziland to the west. This meant that Eswatini was now surrounded by British territory.

Eswatini gained its independence from the British on September 6, 1968. King Sobhuza II, who had been the Swazi monarch since 1921, became the first king of the independent Kingdom of Swaziland.

In 2018, King Mswati III changed the country's name from Swaziland to Eswatini. The name change was a way to reclaim the country's indigenous identity and to distance itself from the colonial past.

Today, Eswatini is a small but prosperous country. It is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community. Eswatini is known for its beautiful scenery, its rich culture, and its friendly people.

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