Marula Festival

The Marula Festival is an annual event in Swaziland which begins each year in mid-February and continues until May. The event brings with it a celebration of the harvest of the marula fruit. During the event, Swazis unite in song and dance particularly the women who are the brewers of the marula beer. It is all about dancing and celebrating the provision of the fruit that is not only used for the beer but also for different purposes such as skin care products.

On the first day, all women are dressed in traditional clothing and respect is shown, praise and thanks are given. On the second day, the main day, the King usually joins the Queen Mother and the Marula Brew, Umganu, is presented to their majesties, who partake of the brew and declare the season open. This is celebrated by song and dance, specific to the occasion.