Ludzidzini is the royal homestead of the Swazi royal family — the residence of the Ndlovukati, the Queen Mother, and the site of the kingdom's most significant traditional ceremonies. The homestead is not open to casual visitors, but it forms a visible part of the valley's landscape, and understanding what it represents gives the Ezulwini Valley much of its cultural weight.
The Umhlanga (reed dance) ceremony held here annually is one of the largest traditional gatherings in Africa, with girls and young women from across the country participating. The Incwala ceremony, held in December or January, is the more sacred of the two — a first fruits ritual that reaffirms the king's authority — and is closed to outsiders. If you are in Eswatini during Umhlanga, the processions and singing near the royal compound are extraordinary to witness.