Lobamba is the traditional and legislative capital of Swaziland

Swaziland

Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...

, seat of the Parliament

Parliament of Swaziland

The Parliament of Swaziland consists of two chambers:*The Senate *The House of Assembly The Houses of Parliament are located in Lobamba.-External links:*...

 and residence of the Queen Mother

Ntombi of Swaziland

Ntombi, Indlovukazi of Swaziland , has been the Indlovukazi and Joint Head of State of Swaziland since 1986. She was also regent of Swaziland from 1983 to 1986. She was born Ntombi laTwala...

. It is located in the west of the country, in the Ezulwini valley, 16 km from Mbabane

Mbabane

-References:...

, in the district of Hhohho

Hhohho

Hhohho is a district of Swaziland, located in the northwest of the country. It has an area of 3,569 km² and a population of 270,000 , and is divided into 14 tinkhundla. The administrative center is the national capital of Mbabane. It borders Lubombo District in the southeast and Manzini District...

. Its population is 5,800.

Lobamba is famous for two ceremonies: the Reed Dance, celebrated in August and September in honour of the Queen Mother, and the Incwala

Incwala

The Ncwala , also known as 'Festival of the First Fruits,' is an important Swazi religious ritual that takes place in the latter half of December, and continues into January of the successive year. It is an annual ceremony lasting three weeks that unites the inhabitants of Swaziland in order to...

, in December and January in honour of the King. These ceremonies include dancing, singing, and celebrations with traditional attire.

The Embo State Palace, the Royal Kraal, Swazi National Museum, Parliament of Swaziland

Parliament of Swaziland

The Parliament of Swaziland consists of two chambers:*The Senate *The House of Assembly The Houses of Parliament are located in Lobamba.-External links:*...

 and a museum dedicated to Sobhuza II of Swaziland

Sobhuza II of Swaziland

Ngwenyama Sobhuza II was the Paramount Chief and later King of Swaziland. He was the son of Ngwane V.-Biography:...

 lie in the town, while the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swaziland's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit trust. It serves as a headquarters for the Big Game Parks including Mlilwane's sister reserves Hlane Royal National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve. The Sanctuary covers 4,560 hectares in the Ezulwini...

 and Matsapha Airport

Matsapha Airport

Matsapha Airport is an airport located near Manzini, a city in Manzini District of Swaziland.In 2011 it will be replaced by Sikhuphe International Airport and will be taken over by the army. The handover had been expected in 2010 but construction of the new airport has been delayed.-Facilities:The...

lie nearby.