Lobamba: Difference between revisions

'''Lobamba''' is the traditional and legislative [[Capital (political)|capital]] city of [[Swaziland]], seat of the [[Parliament of Swaziland|Parliament]],<ref>[http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/core/parliamentInfo.aspx?Committee=SWAZILAND "The Parliament of Swaziland"]. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref> and [[Ludzidzini Royal Village|residence]] of the [[Ntombi of Swaziland|Queen Mother]].<ref name="EB">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/345388/Lobamba "Lobamba"]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed April 8, 2014.</ref> It is located in the west of the country, in the [[Ezulwini Valley]],<ref name="EB"/> 16&nbsp;km from [[Mbabane]], in the district of [[Hhohho]]. In 1997 its population was 3,625.<ref name="EB"/> Its present population is 5,800.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}}

The [[Embo State Palace]], the [[Royal Kraal]], National Museum of Swaziland, [[Swazi National Museum]], [[Parliament of Swaziland]] and a museum dedicated to [[Sobhuza II of Swaziland]] lie in the town, while the [[Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary]]<ref name="EB"/> and [[Matsapha Airport]] lie nearby.

==History==

The city was built for Sobhuza II of Swaziland in 1830.<ref name=SAL>{{cite book|last=Pinchuck|first=Tony|title=The Rough Guide to South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland|date=July 5, 2012|publisher=Penguin|isbn=9781405390453|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NYQJTsifWK4C&pg=PT1419&dq=Lobamba&hl=en&sa=X&ei=o1dIU7iMGfSxsQSAjIGgAg&ved=0CFoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Lobamba&f=false}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Law enforcement===

Lobamba has a police station and is served by The Royal Swaziland Police Service.<ref>[http://police.gov.sz.dedi337.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=98%3Arsp&id=1605%3Awhere-to-find-us-lobamba-police-station&Itemid=597 "Lobamba Police Station"]. Police.gov.sz. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref>

==Education==

Lobamba National High School is in Lobamba.<ref>Ndzimandze, Mbongiseni (September 12, 2009). [http://www.swazilive.com/Swaziland_News/Swaziland_News_Stories.asp?News_id=495 "Lobamba National High snatches investment challenge"]. ''Weekend Observer''. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref>

==Culture==

[[File:The National Archives UK - CO 1069-229-36.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|National dancing at Lobamba in 1951]]

===National Museum of Swaziland===

The National Museum of Swaziland is located in Lobamba.<ref name="SNTC">[http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/museum.html "National Museum"]. Swaziland National Trust Commission. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref> It was constructed in 1972 and received two expansions, in 1986 and 1990 (respectively).<ref name="SNTC"/> It was declared a non-profit institution in 1974 by the International Council of Museums.<ref name="SNTC"/> The museum collects, "...all natural and man-made objects that reflect both natural and cultural heritage of the Swazi and Southern African peoples;"<ref name="SNTC"/>

===Ceremonies===

Lobamba is famous for two ceremonies that are held there: the [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|Reed Dance]],<ref name="EB"/> celebrated in August and September in honour of the Queen Mother, and the [[Incwala]],<ref name="EB"/> in December and January in honour of the King. These ceremonies include dancing, singing, and celebrations with traditional attire.

==See also==

{{portal|Africa}}

* [[Swaziland National Trust Commission]] - operates the National Museum of Swaziland

==References==

{{reflist}}

* O'Cuneen, Pamela (June 1, 2013). [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/party-time-in-lobamba/story-e6frg8rf-1226653962214 "Party time in Lobamba"]. ''[[The Australian]]''. Accessed April 7, 2014.

* Dlamini, Welcome (June 27, 2013). [http://www.times.co.sz/news/88837-majahodvwa-takes-potshot-at-colleague.html "Majahodvwa takes potshot at colleague"]. ''Times of Swaziland''. Accessed April 7, 2014.

* [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Swaziland/Lobamba-2235550/TravelGuide-Lobamba.html Lobamba Travel Guide]. Virtual Tourist.