Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is Africa's last absolute monarchy, where King Mswati III rules by decree and political parties are banned. This tiny landlocked nation in southern Africa renamed itself in 2018 and holds some of the continent's most fascinating cultural traditions, from the annual Reed Dance to the sacred Incwala ceremony. Test your knowledge with 50 questions about this unique country.
Eswatini is Africa's last absolute monarchy — King Mswati III rules by decree with no political parties, and renamed the country from Swaziland in 2018. This quiz explores the kingdom's unique governance, culture, and challenges.
Each round presents 10 randomized multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 50, so every playthrough is different. You get instant feedback with explanations after each answer, plus a shareable score at the end.
You'll discover why Swaziland became Eswatini, the Reed Dance and Incwala ceremonies, the HIV/AIDS crisis that once gave the country the world's lowest life expectancy, and the pro-democracy movement challenging royal rule.
King Mswati III renamed the country to the Kingdom of Eswatini in April 2018, on the 50th anniversary of independence. 'eSwatini' means 'land of the Swatis' in siSwati — the change was meant to shed the colonial-era name.
No, Eswatini is Africa's last absolute monarchy. King Mswati III rules by decree, political parties are effectively banned, and pro-democracy protests in 2021 were met with deadly force from security services.
The Umhlanga (Reed Dance) is an annual ceremony where tens of thousands of young women dance before the king. Traditionally, the king has chosen new wives from participants — he currently has over 15 wives.
Last updated: March 2026