Eswatini Kingdom: In a historic announcement at the Buhleni Royal Residence, His Majesty King Mswati III proclaimed the establishment of a new holiday to commemorate the Buganu Ceremony. This decision, made during the first session of the ceremony, acknowledges the Lutsango regiment, which has long participated in cultural festivities but never had a dedicated holiday of its own.

The newly declared holiday will take effect during the second Buganu session at Hlane and will be merged with the celebrations of King Sobhuza II. It will be observed annually on the Monday following the Hlane Buganu Ceremony. Unlike statutory holidays such as Umhlanga and Incwala, this cultural holiday will not automatically be a national public holiday. Instead, it will be formally gazetted by the Minister of Home Affairs following confirmation of the Hlane ceremony date. As part of these changes, July 22 will now remain a regular working day.

The Buganu Ceremony is a deeply rooted tradition in Eswatini, primarily celebrated by Lutsango, a regiment of Swazi women who uphold cultural practices tied to the marula harvest. The event marks the beginning of the marula season, during which the Queen Mother receives the first offerings of the fermented buganu brew. The King then partakes in the drink alongside dignitaries, while vibrant traditional dances and songs fill the air in a joyous cultural spectacle.

This year’s celebrations at Buhleni were no exception, with Lutsango women, corporate organizations, and government institutions gathering in large numbers. Participants arrived bearing food, buganu, and gifts for the Queen Mother, while the weekend was filled with educational sessions on health, women’s empowerment, and social issues. Dressed in red lihiya gifted by Their Majesties, the Lutsango regiment sang and danced in unison, creating a striking display of cultural pride. As the three-day event concluded, attendees departed with renewed appreciation for Eswatini’s heritage, looking forward to the official observance of the new holiday in the years to come.