Eswatini: Lobamba – Swazi Traditional Village

Just outside of the museum and next to the King’s Palace is a traditional Swazi homestead village with beehive-shaped huts made of grass and saplings, each serving different purposes, such as living space, kitchens, and storage. These beehive huts are called emakhiya and they are an iconic feature of Swazi culture. The huts are built in a circular layout around a central kraal (cattle pen). The layout of the homestead is hierarchical, with specific huts for men, women, and children. The thick grass covering provides excellent insulation, keeping the interior cool in summer and warm in winter.