Sibhaca began as a dance among young Swazi men who worked in the mines of neighbouring South Africa. Far from home and missing their culture, they developed this energetic dance to keep their traditions alive and their spirits high. The dance came back to Eswatini with the workers and became one of the country's most beloved traditions.
What makes sibhaca special is the combination of strength, precision and teamwork. Groups of dancers must move in perfect time with each other, matching kicks, stomps and jumps to the beat of the singing. A group that is perfectly synchronised creates a thrilling spectacle, like watching a very athletic, musical team sport.
The singing in sibhaca is deep, resonant and powerful. Performers sing in close harmonies — voices blending and building on each other in a style called 'isigqi'. The sound carries across open fields and sends vibrations through the ground when many voices join together.
Sibhaca competitions pit teams from different communities against each other. Judges score the teams on the height of their kicks, the precision of their timing, the quality of their singing, and the energy and spirit they bring. Winning a sibhaca competition brings great pride to a community.