Discover
The identity of the nation
Eswatini is a small, landlocked kingdom located between South Africa and Mozambique, in southern Africa. It is Africa’s last absolute monarchy: the king governs with nearly unlimited power, and the country’s life revolves around the royal court and ancient traditions, such as the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and the Incwala (first fruits festival), ceremonies that draw crowds every year and reveal the strength of Swazi identity.
The majority of the population identifies as Christian, but this faith coexists alongside traditional ancestral beliefs. The so-called Zionist churches (a movement that blends Christian elements, such as baptism and healing through prayer, with ancestral rituals and the use of traditional healers called sangoma) draw a huge share of the faithful. It is a widely present Christianity, but one that often still needs to mature in biblical depth.
The country faces serious social challenges: it has one of the highest HIV and AIDS rates in the world, youth unemployment exceeds half of the economically active population, and a large share of families live in poverty. These factors leave deep marks, such as the large number of orphaned children, while also opening an important space for the local church to care for those who suffer most.
Politically, political parties are banned and freedom of expression is limited; in 2021, protests for democratic reforms were harshly suppressed by security forces. Despite this, religious freedom is generally respected: Christians can gather and preach freely, although churches closer to the crown have more public space than others.
From a missionary standpoint, Eswatini already has the gospel widely spread: of the country’s just 9 people groups, only two small groups are still considered unreached. Today’s greatest call is not to bring the gospel to places it has never reached, but to deepen the faith of a people who already call themselves Christian, helping the Swazi church grow in maturity, unity, and biblical discipleship.
- Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Swazi people were already organized under the leadership of kings called Ngwenyama ("lion"), gradually forming the kingdom that gave rise to the nation.
- 1840 to 1868 King Mswati II expands and unifies the kingdom's territory, giving rise to the name of the people and the country.
- 1881 The territory's borders are established amid the scramble for Africa among European powers.
- 1903 The territory comes under administration by the United Kingdom as a British protectorate, under the name Swaziland.
- 1968 Independence from the United Kingdom on September 6, with King Sobhuza II as head of state.
- 1973 The king suspends the Constitution and begins ruling by decree, concentrating power in the monarchy.
- 1986 Mswati III is crowned king after the death of Sobhuza II, becoming the new Ngwenyama.
- 2018 The country officially changes its name from Swaziland to Eswatini, marking 50 years of independence.
- 2021 Protests for democratic reforms spread across the country and are harshly suppressed.
- Today Eswatini remains Africa's last absolute monarchy, facing serious social challenges and home to a numerically strong Christian church that still coexists with a blend of Christian faith and ancestral traditions.
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Englishofficial language, used in public administration, education, and business
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Siswati (Swazi)national language, spoken daily by most of the population
Eswatini is one of Africa's smallest countries and is landlocked, surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. Despite its small size, the territory has quite varied landscapes, from the green mountains of the west to the hot, dry plains of the east, forming four distinct natural regions within a country that can be crossed by car in just a few hours.
Major cities
- Mbabaneadministrative capital, seat of government, in the mountainous Highveld region
- Lobambaroyal and legislative capital, home to the parliament and the royal family's palace
- Manzinithe country's largest city and main commercial hub
- Piggs Peaknorthern town known for forestry production and mountain scenery
Climate and temperature
Sishwala
thick corn porridge, a staple food served with meat or vegetables
Emahewu
fermented corn drink, slightly sour, widely consumed to quench thirst in the heat
Umncweba
sun-dried, seasoned meat, similar to South African biltong (dried meat)
Sidvudvu
pumpkin porridge mixed with corn flour
Siphuphe setindlubu
creamy porridge made from ground peanuts
Tinkhobe
whole cooked corn kernels, served as an everyday side dish
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Respect for hierarchy and elders
Swazi society places great value on the authority of elders, traditional leaders, and royalty.
Royal ceremonies as national identity
Festivals such as the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and the Incwala (first fruits ceremony) draw thousands of people and reinforce ties with the monarchy.
Extended family and community life
Large families, with several generations living close together, and a strong sense of community shape daily life.
Blend of Christian faith and ancestral tradition
It is common for Christian families to maintain, alongside church life, practices linked to ancestors and traditional healing.
- Photographing royal ceremonies without permission Parts of the rituals, such as the Incwala, are sacred and restricted, closed to outsiders.
- Openly criticizing the monarchy in public The subject is sensitive; respect for royalty is a central part of Swazi identity.
- Treating churches that blend tradition and faith with disdain Many families take part in this type of church; approach them with respect, not confrontation.
- Rushing relationships Building trust takes time; personal closeness is valued before addressing any important matter.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Christian faith blends with ancestral practices, especially in Zionist churches, which combine Christianity with traditional healing and ancestral rituals.
Many families still turn to traditional healers (called sangoma) in search of protection and healing.
The absolute monarchy reduces the space for freedom of expression and political participation.
The country has one of the highest HIV rates in the world, affecting entire families and leaving many orphans.
A large part of the population lives below the poverty line, with sharp social inequality.
More than half of young people cannot find work, leading to discouragement and an exodus to neighboring countries.
The practice of multiple marriages shapes family relationships and challenges biblical discipleship on marriage.
Religious leaders who speak about social justice face pressure not to challenge the established order.
In the cities, the pursuit of status and consumer goods competes with traditional community values.
Minorities, such as Muslims, face distrust and social prejudice, even without open persecution.
Religious freedom is guaranteed by Eswatini’s Constitution, and the vast majority of Christians live out their faith openly, without direct persecution from the State. The greatest challenge does not come from a legal ban, but from the strong blend of Christianity and traditional beliefs: many Zionist churches (a movement that combines Christian elements with ancestral rituals) attract believers precisely because they feel closer to Swazi culture, which ends up diluting the message of the gospel.
Since the king is also seen as a central spiritual figure for the nation, churches and leaders who publicly take a stand against government decisions, especially during periods of protests for democratic reforms, risk facing social and informal pressure. Religious groups with no ties to the crown tend to have less access to public spaces and official events. The small Muslim community, meanwhile, faces distrust in rural communities with a Christian majority, but without systematic persecution from the State.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Eswatini has just 9 catalogued people groups, a small number compared to other countries in the region. The vast majority of the population belongs to the Swazi people (also called Tekeza), now considered significantly reached by the gospel. Even so, two small groups remain unreached: a community of Comorian origin that is predominantly Muslim, and the country's Deaf community, which lacks churches and biblical content accessible in sign language. Together, these unreached groups make up less than 1% of the population, but represent a real call for no one to be left outside the gospel.
- 7K Unreached 0,5%
- 9K Minimally reached 0,7%
- 0 Superficially reached 0%
- 38K Partially reached 3,1%
- 1.2M Significantly reached 95,6%
- 2 Unreached 22,2%
- 1 Minimally reached 11,1%
- 0 Superficially reached 0%
- 3 Partially reached 33,3%
- 3 Significantly reached 33,3%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Comorian, Maore
Sul-Asiático
Deaf Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
cheaper than the world average, similar to neighboring South Africa
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Carry cash: outside urban centers, few places accept cards.
- Use kombis (shared minibuses) to travel between cities; it's the country's most common form of transport.
- Avoid political comments about the monarchy in public conversations.
- English is enough to communicate in most places.
- Take extra care on mountain roads at night, which are often unlit.
- The local currency, the lilangeni, is pegged to the South African rand and can be used interchangeably.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.