04/10/2026
Cultural Reflection
By Malia Woods �
The streets of Eswatini are busy and full of life. When walking down a street, you might see vendors on the street selling local produce, a woman carrying a heavy load on her head without her hands, or a mother with a baby strapped to her back swaddled by cloth. Almost everywhere you go, you will find yellow umbrellas with a single worker sitting underneath representing “MTN” - a mobile telecommunications company.
When greeting a Swazi, you must shake your right hand making sure that your left hand is placed on top of your right forearm. This shows respect and trust. Historically, the right hand was used for weapons and the left for wielding a shield. Placing your left hand on top of your forearm shows you pose no threat as your hands are empty. The Swazi’s value even the smallest details as they generally are very literal and detail oriented. They strive to be and put forth their best. This is reflective in the way they dress, as well as their work ethic during classes. Excitement and pride fills their face when we practice SiSwati, their native language, out in public. A sense of gratitude that their culture and language are being shared and respected washes over them.
