Culture and Manners in Eswatini

As soon as you arrive in Eswatini, you will notice how warm and welcoming the emaSwati people are. They are also fun-loving and kind. emaSwati culture is very different from American culture. As Americans we value independence, self-reliance, and getting things accomplished quickly. emaSwati culture values community, relationships, family ties, and respect for elders and authority. Since we are guests in Eswatini, it’s important to make an effort to understand and embrace emaSwati culture and to do our best not to inadvertently offend them.
It’s also important to remember that we bring much needed resources to Eswatini. Thus, it is easy for the emsSwati people you meet to view you as someone who can help them financially. This has resulted in personal requests for money or items “from America” (as well as quite a few marriage proposals). Since we are guests there, we can’t possibly know the true needs and situations of the people we meet. That is one of many reasons we have full-time missionaries on the ground in Eswatini, and why we have a partnership with local churches.
Please do not offer assistance to anyone without first discussing it with your team leader or one of our missionaries. If someone makes a request of you, please write down their name and their request and bring it to your team leader. Your team leader will work with our missionaries and the local pastors to ascertain what needs are there and what remedies might be helpful.
Finally, please be aware that some emaSwati will view forming a romantic relationship with an American as a great way to change their life or even start a new one in America. Please keep in mind that although you might enjoy getting to know someone, a mission trip is not the time to form romantic attachments.

Here are some things to remember to do (and not to do) in Eswatini:

When you arrive at any gathering, greet every person that you see with a handshake (or perhaps a post-COVID ‘fist bump’) and ask “how are you?”
Likewise, make time prior to leaving a place to say goodbye to as many people as possible (but don’t hold up the team’s departure).
Introduce yourself and listen closely for their name.
Carry a small notebook in which you can ask new acquaintances to write down their name, then later on add a small blurb describing where and under what circumstances you met the person.
Use the siSwati language greetings and other phrases whenever you can. Ask your emaSwati friends to write phrases in your notebook so you can review them and use them later.
Although many emaSwati speak English, you may have difficulty understanding them due to accent or word usage. Ex. “You must organize for me some shoes” is a request for a pair of shoes.
It is considered impolite to point your finger at a person. You may indicate with a knuckle, elbow, or your full hand. [Note: Deaf emaSwati point with their fingers as a part of their language. It is difficult to avoid pointing when using Eswatini Sign Language.]
Be aware that emaSwati children greet you or speak to you they will likely keep their eyes lowered and their voices soft. This is not evasive or a sign of disinterest; it is a sign of respect.
It is courteous to ask before you take photos. When you ask, avoid saying “I want to take pictures to show my supporters in the USA.” Such statements make it sound like you are trying to make money off the ministry. Instead, say “I want to show my friends/family at home” or “I want to remember this moment.”
Phone selfies are very common; expensive cameras are ok but may create a social distance between you and your emaSwati friends.
Remember that Facebook is international, and many emaSwati use it. Avoid posting photos or comments on Facebook that could be embarrassing or hurtful to our emaSwati partners.
Expect to experience some culture strain, particularly if this is your first visit out of the United States.
Expect to be laughed at. Your appearance, language, and mannerisms are very strange and amusing. (Like when Pastor Angelo loudly says in siSwati “it’s nice to be waaay over there!”) This is a good thing, as noted above, emaSwati love to laugh and have fun.
Participate in the singing and dancing. Don’t be shy about getting up and joining in, whether at church or another gathering. This is one of the most creative parts of the emaSwati culture.
Have fun learning new things with and about your emaSwati friends.
Don’t promise anyone financial help. Really. Don’t even hint at it. Just don’t.
Also, do not give anyone money. Such donations cause problems as some emaSwati will see all Americans as a source for easy funds. Giving money or promising financial help to people can hinder the work of our full-time missionaries and future short-term teams. It can also put social pressure on the emaSwati who receive the money from you.
When you encounter a person whose circumstances cause you concern (as you no doubt will), take down their name and contact information and write a short note about their situation. Then pass the information on to your team leader. We want to let the local churches address the charity needs in their own communities. They know best.
Do not hand out sweets (candy). First of all, there will never be enough, and the inevitable shortages cause quarrels. Also, they are really not good for the kids. Furthermore, it sets a bad example by encouraging children to take candy from strangers. Finally, giving out sweets can create an expectation for future short-term teams.
emaSwati typically dress up for church. Women wear dresses or skirts/blouses. Most men will wear suits and ties, and those who do not will be wearing dress slacks and collared shirts. In Zionist churches, members wear uniforms, typically a robe of a certain color depending on which type of church it is.
Women should not wear tank tops or anything sleeveless. Also avoid tops that reveal cleavage.
No shorts – for anyone (except when you are playing sports).
When you go to church, someone will typically escort you to a seat, usually toward the front. If you are teaching the Bible class or preaching, you will typically be seated in the front of the church. This is a sign of respect; you are being given a place of honor. You will show respect by accepting the seat you are offered.
Men and women don’t typically sit together (you will notice that in church men sit on one side, women on another). Even married couples do not generally show affection in public.
Please use discretion in where you eat your lunch. Be aware that there will be many hungry people around you who regard peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as an amazing treat.
Please use discretion when and where you use hand sanitizer. By all means use it — frequently and liberally — but not necessarily right in front of those you have just greeted! If you use some, offer it to those around you.
Don’t use the word “napkin.” In emaSwati culture that refers to women’s sanitary products. Use the word “serviette.”

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