MBABANE (7 February 2025): Across the country, women are going through their steps – rehearsing for the Buganu festival that is now scheduled for the weekend of the 21 and 22 February at the Buhleni Royal Residence.
The ceremony is now the central focus of communities especially in the Middle and Low Veld where the Mganu trees flourish. In mid-summer, the trees produce the Maganu fruit from which communities prepare Buganu, a very popular but potent traditional liqueur.
The national Buganu ceremony is patronized by royalty, and is attended by the King and Queen Mother. The occasion is an opportunity for communities to pay homage to their King and for corporate organizations; the chance to showcase their brands. Typically, companies emblozone their corporate colours on the traditional emahiya worn on the day.
Companies also scour the countryside for buganu brew that they purchase; bringing much appreciated income to local communities. Their female staff, now resplendant in corporate colours march in in style; in song and dance, carrying their contribution of brew for the weekend ceremony. It is a high level show where form is as important as the substance. For that reason, each troupe must rehearse not just their own entry song and dance steps, but also the songs that they will sing as the collective of women.
In the past, the brew would be brought in large calabashes (emaghaga) suitable for travelling long distances for ceremonies such as weddings. In the next week, printing and branding companies are making brisk business. They are branding 20 litre plastic containers that companies require decorated with their corporate colours to leave a lasting memory long after the buganu contents have been consumed.
The next two weeks will be important for various groups to make practice perfect. At the Goverment ministries, departments are preparing for the competion for the most elegant step.
jm/today/07/02/2025
