African Folklore: An Encyclopedia - Marshalls University

Nketia, J.H.Kwabena. 1971. Surrogate Languages of Africa. Current Trends in Linguistics 7:699–
732.
Yankah, Kwesi. 1997. Free Speech in a Traditional Society. The Cultural Foundations of
Communication in Contemporary Ghana. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.
YAEL WARSHEL
See also Linguistics and African Verbal Arts; Musical Instruments
SWAHILI
See Epics: Liongo Epics of the Swahili; Urban Folklore
See Queen Mother
African Americans 911
SWAZI
SWAZILAND (KINGDOM OF
SWAZILAND)
Landlocked between Mozambique and South Africa, Swaziland is a small country of
984,000 people. The climate ranges from temperate to subtropical to semiarid.
Swaziland’s capital is the city of Mbabane, which is home to 46,000 people. The
population of Swaziland is predominantly African, with English and Swazi being the
most commonly spoken languages. Christians account for 60 percent of the population,
while the remaining 40 percent practice traditional religions.
The Swazi Kingdom was created in the late eighteenth century. Several conventions in
the 1880s guaranteed the kingdom’s independence, but South African continued to
control it. Not until September 6, 1968, was full independence granted. Throughout the
country’s history, Swaziland has suffered a precarious relationship with neighboring
South Africa. In the past, Swaziland was able to maintain political autonomy while
relying on economic support from South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, however, the
Swazi government has sought political support from South Africa’s new African National
Congress government.
Since independence, Swaziland has had a relatively secure economy due to the
expansion and diversification of its agricultural products. Other industries such as
tourism, mining, and paper milling, have contributed to Swaziland’s economic growth.