Incwala

The Ncwala (or iNcwala, the "i-" prefix means "the"), also known as 'Festival of the First Fruits,' is an important Swazi religious ritual that takes place in the latter half of December, and continues into January of the successive year. It is an annual ceremony lasting eight weeks that unites the inhabitants of Swaziland in order to gain blessings from ancestors. This important event also serves the purpose of renewing the kingship of the nation and commencing the harvesting season.