Eswatini’s traditional dress centres on the emahiya, a brightly coloured cloth worn for ceremonies, alongside a long tradition of beadwork.
Emahiya
Emahiya (singular lihiya) is the main traditional cloth of the Emaswati. A rectangular cloth of about 1.5 by 2 metres, it has a plain woven cotton base and usually a central motif, often with borders, printed on a brightly coloured background. Lions and elephants, which symbolise the King and Queen Mother, appear as motifs, as do portraits. People of different genders and ages wear it.
Preserving the craft
Original emahiya were dyed with natural dyes. A 2022 V&A project aims to use printed designs and local plant-based dyes to preserve these traditions and train local makers, as cultural knowledge fades when younger generations engage less with elders.
Beadwork
Swazi people have historically made jewellery and clothing from beads, including the colourful ligcebesha necklace and the beaded indlamu skirt for girls.
Sources: V&A blog: Traditional emahiya attire, Wikipedia: Culture of Eswatini.
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