Lobamba – Taiwan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Jeremy Liang, led a 29-member Taiwanese regiment in participating in the 2026 Incwala royal ceremony, marking another significant moment in the long-standing diplomatic ties between Mbabane and Taipei.
The delegation was made up of staff from the Taiwan Embassy in Eswatini, alongside members of Taiwan’s development cooperation and medical teams stationed in the country. Their participation took place during the Incwala ceremonies held in early January at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where tens of thousands of emaSwati gathered for the annual cultural and spiritual event.
The Incwala ceremony, which drew an estimated 80,000 participants from across the Kingdom, included only a small number of foreign guests. The Taiwanese group was among the few international delegations granted permission to take part, a gesture regarded by the embassy as a mark of trust and friendship. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Eswatini, George Wachira of Kenya, was also invited to attend.
Dressed in traditional emaSwati attire, Ambassador Liang and the Taiwan Regiment joined the ceremonial march, covering more than 30 kilometres on foot over a 12 hour period from the afternoon of January 3 until around 1.30am on January 4. The procession forms part of the sacred rituals associated with Incwala, which symbolises renewal, unity and the authority of the monarchy.
During the opening ceremony, the Taiwanese delegation participated in traditional songs and dances before His Majesty King Mswati III. At one of the resting points along the route, the King personally greeted Ambassador Liang and expressed appreciation for the presence and size of the Taiwanese group, according to information released by the Taiwan Embassy.
Discussion about this post