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'{{confuse|Lubombo Region}} {{Infobox settlement <!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions --> | name = Lobamba | native_name = | native_name_lang = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead --> | settlement_type = City | pushpin_map = Eswatini | map_alt = | map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|26|25|0|S|31|10|0|E|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{flag|Eswatini}} |subdivision_type1 = District |subdivision_name1 = [[Hhohho District|Hhohho]] | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = capital | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | elevation_footnotes = <ref>[http://www.floodmap.net/Elevation/ElevationMap/?gi=935048 ''Elevation of Lobamba,Swaziland Elevation Map, Topo, Contour'']. Floodmap.net. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> | elevation_m = 694 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 11,000 | population_as_of = 2006 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]<ref>[http://www.timezonegenius.com/detail/swaziland/lobamba ''Lobamba.''] Time Zone Genius. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> | utc_offset1 = +2 | timezone1_DST = <!--- None in 2014 --> | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = H107<ref>[http://www.geopostcodes.com/Lobamba ''Lobamba''.] GeoPostCodes. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> | area_code_type = | area_code = 416 (country code +268)<ref>[http://www.phone-area-code-dialing.com/phone/Swaziland/Lobamba.htm ''Lobamba''.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423005019/http://www.phone-area-code-dialing.com/phone/Swaziland/Lobamba.htm |date=2014-04-23 }} Phone Area Code Dialing. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> | iso_code = SZ/SWZ<ref>[http://postcodesdb.com/AlphabeticSearch.aspx?country=Swaziland&city=Lobamba&zip=H107 ''Lobamba''.] PostCodesDB. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> | website = | footnotes = }} '''Lobamba''' is a [[city]] in [[Eswatini]], and is one of the two [[capital (political)|capital]]s (along with [[Mbabane]]), serving as the [[legislative]], [[traditional]], [[Spirituality|spiritual]], [[seat of government]] of the [[Parliament of Eswatini]],<ref name=CPA>[http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/core/parliamentInfo.aspx?Committee=SWAZILAND "The Parliament of Swaziland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120040/http://www.cpahq.org/cpahq/core/parliamentInfo.aspx?Committee=SWAZILAND |date=2016-03-04 }}. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref> and [[Ludzidzini Royal Village]], the residence of [[Ntfombi of Eswatini|Queen Ntfombi]], the [[Ndlovukati|Queen Mother]].<ref name="EB">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/345388/Lobamba "Lobamba"]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed April 8, 2014.</ref><ref>Ruth Cyr. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=YlhwTte8pbkC&pg=PA485 Twentieth Century Africa]''. iUniverse; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-595-18982-3}}. p. 485.</ref> [[Mswati III]] lives about {{convert|10|km|mi}} away at the Lozitha Palace. The King and Queen Mother participate in annual December and January [[Incwala]] ceremonies and August and September [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|Reed Dance]]es at Ludzidzini Royal Village, also known as the Royal [[Kraal]]. Key attractions are the Parliament, National Museum of Eswatini, [[Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary]], and the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park. The Embo State Palace, not open to visitors, was built by the British government for the [[polygamous]] King [[Sobhuza II]], whose family included 600 children. He led the movement for Eswatini's independence from the United Kingdom and was its first prime minister. ==Overview== It is located in the western part of the country<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> in the woodland "Valley of Heaven", or [[Ezulwini Valley]].<ref name="Armstrong p. 582" /> It is {{convert|16|km|mi}} from [[Mbabane]], in the district of [[Hhohho]]<ref name="EB"/> and has a [[subtropical climate]] with wet summers and dry winters.<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> [[File:Sobhuza.jpg|thumb|[[Sobhuza II]]]] In 1997 its population was 3,625.<ref name="EB"/> Its population in 2006 was 11,000.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=QeKbAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA706 Britannica Book of the Year 2010]''. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; 1 March 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-61535-366-8}}. p. 706.</ref> Across the country, 84.3% of its people are [[Swazi people|Swazi]] and 9.9% are [[Zulu people|Zulu]]. The remainder are [[Tsonga people|Tsonga]] (2.5%), [[Indian people|Indian]] (1.6%) and others (1.7%). Its official languages are [[Swazi language|Swazi]] and [[English language|English]].<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> ==History== Two areas have been called Lobamba, the first now called "Old Lobamba" was established in 1750 in southern Eswatini. The subject of this article is a settlement that was created by [[Sobhuza II]] in the northwest section of the country.<ref>Laurel L. Rose. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ev7uqavYvGoC&pg=PA65 The Politics of Harmony: Land Dispute Strategies in Swaziland]''. Cambridge University Press; 31 January 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-521-39296-9}}. p. 65.</ref>{{#tag:ref|In the mid 18th century ancestors of [[Sobhuza I]] came to (old) Lobamba from the north.<ref>Bridget Hilton-Barber. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=te1461s33IwC&pg=PA158 Weekends with Legends]''. New Africa Books; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-86486-471-0}}. p. 158.</ref> About 1750 Swazi was founded in (old) Lobamba by [[House of Dlamini|Dlamini dynasty]] chief [[Ngwane III]], according to local tradition. His son, [[Ndvungunye]], died in 1815 and [[Sobhuza I]] became the king and founder of modern Eswatini, ruling from his [[Shiselweni Region|Shiselweni]] royal residence beginning in 1818. The city of (old) Lobamba was built in 1820 as headquarters for Sobhuza I, who died in 1838.<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=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYQJTsifWK4C&pg=PT1419}}</ref><ref name="Akyeampong p. 424">Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&pg=RA4-PA424 Dictionary of African Biography]''. Oxford University Press; 2 February 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-19-538207-5}}. p. 424.</ref>|group="nb"}} In 1903, following the [[Boer Wars]], the British government took control of Eswatini and it was then ruled by a [[regent]]. In 1921 King [[Sobhuza II]] became leader of Eswatini, which was still under the British government's control.<ref>Ruth Cyr. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=YlhwTte8pbkC&pg=PA485 Twentieth Century Africa]''. iUniverse; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-595-18982-3}}. p. 485, 488.</ref> Eswatini became independent of the British government on September 6, 1968, which was announced at a cattle [[byre]] in Lobamba by [[Makhosini Dlamini|Prince Makhosini]]. He was the country's first prime minister and the great-grandson of [[Sobhuza I]]. With its independence, Eswatini was a member in its own right of the [[Organization of African Unity]] (OAU), [[British Commonwealth]], and the [[United Nations]].<ref name="Akyeampong p. 233">Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&pg=RA4-PA233 Dictionary of African Biography]''. Oxford University Press; 2 February 2012. {{ISBN|978-0-19-538207-5}}. p. 233–234.</ref> It was made a [[constitutional monarchy]] under Sobhuza II,<ref name="Twentieth Century Africa">Ruth Cyr. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=YlhwTte8pbkC&pg=PA488 Twentieth Century Africa]''. iUniverse; 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-595-18982-3}}. p. 488.</ref> who lived in the royal residence, or [[kraal]], in Lobamba.<ref name="Twentieth Century Africa"/> ==Government== [[File:Parliament building of Swaziland, Lobamba.jpg|thumb|Parliament building of Eswatini]] [[File:Mswati III King of Eswatini.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Mswati III]], King of Eswatini<br>April 1986–present]] Lobamba is the legislative seat of the [[Eswatini]] government.<ref name=CPA /> ===Parliament of Eswatini=== {{main|Parliament of Eswatini}} It was made a branch of the [[Commonwealth Parliamentary Association]] on January 1, 1965 and its date of independence was January 1, 1968. The constitution was signed by King [[Mswati III]] on July 26, 2005. The [[List of monarchs of Eswatini|king]] appoints the [[List of prime ministers of Eswatini|prime minister]] and the council. There are two chambers: the Senate and the House of Assembly.<ref name=CPA /> The parliament building is sometimes open to visitors.<ref name="Murphy p. 592" /> ===Embo State Palace=== The royal Embo State Palace was built by the British to house the [[polygamous]] [[Sobhuza II]] and his family, including 600 children. It is not open to visitors and photographs are not allowed.<ref name="Armstrong p. 582" /><ref name="Murphy p. 592">Alan Murphy; Kate Armstrong; James Bainbridge. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=oMKf-rqYjFgC&pg=PA592 Lonely Planet Southern Africa]''. Lonely Planet; 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-545-2}}. p. 592.</ref> ===Royal residences=== King [[Mswati III]] lives at the Lozitha Palace, about {{convert|10|km|mi}} from the city. He visits the Royal Kraal, or Ludzidzini Royal Residence, during the [[Umhlanga (ceremony)|Umhlanga dance]] and [[Incwala]] ceremonies.<ref name="Murphy p. 592" /> The royal village includes the queen mother's Royal Kraal, dwelling clusters, and a parade ground for ceremonies.<ref name="Attractions" /> ==Infrastructure== ===Law enforcement=== [[File:Caricature of William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne (1859-1942).jpg|thumb|upright|[[William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne|Lord Selborn]], [[List of High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to South Africa|High Commissioner for South Africa]] signed a proclamation in 1907 for what became the Eswatini Police Force.]] Lobamba has a police station and is served by The Royal Eswatini 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'']. The Royal Swaziland Police Service. Retrieved April 7, 2014.</ref> During the British colonial era [[William Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne|Lord Selborn]], [[List of High Commissioners of the United Kingdom to South Africa|High Commissioner for South Africa]] signed a proclamation in 1907 for what became the Eswatini Police Force. After Eswatini's independence in 1968, the force was renamed the Royal Eswatini Police Force. Its name was further changed making it a service, rather than a force.<ref>[http://police.gov.sz.dedi337.nur4.host-h.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=436&Itemid=597 ''Brief History.''] The Royal Swaziland Police Service. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> ===Education=== Education is free, but is not required. It had low literacy rates, but they are rising.<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> 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> ===Health and welfare=== The government provides health facilities to manage [[endemic disease]] and [[malnutrition]]. Retirement, disability and survivor pensions are available through its welfare system.<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> ===Transportation=== Many of the roads in Eswatini are unsurfaced, but there are good roads that connect principal towns,<ref name="Haggett p. 2477" /> including the [[MR3 road|MR3]] highway and MR103 road.<ref name="Armstrong p. 582">Kate Armstrong. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=y4c1a6GSQ8cC&pg=PA582 South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland]''. Lonely Planet; 2006. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-970-2}}. p. 582.</ref> There are small local airstrips and a railroad that operates between Eswatini and Mozambique.<ref name="Haggett p. 2477">Peter Haggett. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=6plpd_4AZfgC&pg=PA2477 Encyclopedia of World Geography]''. Marshall Cavendish; 1 July 2001. {{ISBN|978-0-7614-7289-6}}. p. 2477.</ref> The [[Matsapha Airport]] is {{convert|23|km|mi}} from Lobamba. The next closest domestic and international airport is [[Maputo International Airport]] in Mozambique, which is {{convert|216|km|mi}} away.<ref>[http://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Lobamba,+Swaziland ''Lobamba, Swaziland''.] Travel Math. Retrieved April 21, 2014.</ref> One of the tour operators in Eswatini is Swazi Trails, which has tours of the Lobamba royal village, nature reserves, game parks, and craft centres. Nabo Bashoa runs minibus tours.<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=rXN6xJjPlrwC&pg=PA801 South Africa]''. Rough Guides; 2002. {{ISBN|978-1-85828-853-6}}. Ncwala and Umhlanga ceremonies. p. 801.</ref> ==Culture and attractions== {{cquote|African Life. Some of the Sons of the Late Chief Bokweni Mamba.<br><small>National Dancing at Lobamba (1951)</small>}} ===National Museum of Eswatini=== The National Museum of Eswatini, located in Lobamba next to the [[Parliament of Eswatini|Parliament building]], was built in 1972 and expanded in 1986 and 1990.<ref name=SAL /><ref name="SNTC"/> The museum was made a non-profit institution in 1974 by the [[International Council of Museums]].<ref name="SNTC"/> The museum houses a memorial to the revered King [[Sobhuza II]]<ref name="Murphy p. 592" /> and [[Swazi people|Swazi]] and [[South Africa]]n artifacts. It has a collection of photographs that include subjects of the [[Mbabane]] and [[Manzini Region]]s and [[Scramble for Africa|British colonial]] administrators. A 16th-century head of [[Krishna]], discovered nearby, is located in the [[natural history]] wing and provides evidence of trade with the [[eastern world|east]].<ref name=SAL /><ref name="SNTC">[http://www.sntc.org.sz/cultural/museum.html "National Museum"]. Swaziland National Trust Commission. Accessed April 7, 2014.</ref> The natural history wing includes [[highveld]] and [[lowveld]] [[diorama]]s to illustrate the diverse Eswatini ecosystems and feature rarely seen nocturnal animals. Its nature-centric exhibits integrate environmental and cultural impacts.<ref name="Attractions" /> A recreation of a [[Homestead (small African settlement)|Swazi homestead]] is located outside the museum.<ref name=SAL /> ===Somhlolo stadium=== Also located near the Parliament building is the [[Somhlolo stadium]] for football and other major events.<ref name=SAL /> [[File:Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary 01.jpg|thumb|[[Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary]]]] ===Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary=== {{main|Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary}} Just outside Lobamba is the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary that has horseback and hiking trails, guided mountain-bike tours, rustic trail camps and camping in caves. Throughout the park are opportunities to observe game,<ref name=SAL /> including [[antelope]], [[giraffe]], [[zebra]]s, and many types of birds.<ref>Alan Murphy; Kate Armstrong; James Bainbridge. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=oMKf-rqYjFgC&pg=PA584 Lonely Planet Southern Africa]''. Lonely Planet; 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-545-2}}. p. 584.</ref> ===King Sobhuza II Memorial Park=== A memorial park was established in the memory of King [[Sobhuza II]], who was the leader of the country's independence in 1968. The king's life is told through an exhibit of photographs. Three of the king's vintage cars are in the museum and his mausoleum is within the park.<ref name="Attractions">[http://www.thekingdomofswaziland.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=19 ''Lobamba: Attractions.''] The Kingdom of Swaziland. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> ===Malkern Valley=== Malkerns Valley is an arts and crafts center located {{convert|7|km|mi}} south of Lobamba.<ref>James Bainbridge. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=p4pGABdauysC&pg=PA588 South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland]''. Lonely Planet; 15 September 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74220-375-1}}. p. 588.</ref> ==Events== ===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"/><ref>James Bainbridge. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=p4pGABdauysC&pg=PA613 South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland]''. Lonely Planet; 15 September 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-74220-375-1}}. p. 613.</ref> in December and January in honour of the King. These ceremonies include dancing, singing, and celebrations with traditional attire.<ref>"Ncwala and Umhlanga ceremonies." In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=rXN6xJjPlrwC&pg=PA805 South Africa]''. Rough Guides; 2002. {{ISBN|978-1-85828-853-6}}. p. 805.</ref><ref>[http://www.thekingdomofswaziland.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=55 ''Incwala''] The Kingdom of Swaziland. Retrieved April 20, 2014.</ref> ==See also== {{portal|Africa}} * [[Swaziland National Trust Commission]] - operates the National Museum of Eswatini ==Notes== {{Reflist|group="nb"}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== * 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 Eswatini''. Accessed April 7, 2014. * 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. ==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} *"[http://www.swazidirectory.co.sz/index.php/general-information/swaziland-history-traditions-geography Geography of Eswatini]", swazidirectory.co.sz * [http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Swaziland/Lobamba-2235550/TravelGuide-Lobamba.html Lobamba Travel Guide]. Virtual Tourist. *[https://www.mycodedetail.com/airport-codes/SZ Airports in Swaziland] {{List of African capitals}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Populated places in Hhohho Region]] [[Category:Capitals in Africa]]'