National Flag Day in Swaziland

Eswatini is Africa’s last absolute monarchy and one of the few remaining in the world. This form of government gives a monarch supreme authority, unimpeded by written laws, legislature or customs. The flag of Eswatini was officially adopted on October 6, 1968. The flag shows a traditional Swazi shield, which is black and white and made of ox hide. The feathers decorating the fighting stick on Eswatini's flag represent those from the widowbird and the lourie, which are both common to the region. The Eswatini flag consists of horizontal stripes of blue, yellow and crimson with a Swazi shield, two spears and a ‘fighting stick’ with feather tassels in the centre. The crimson stands for the battles of the past, yellow for mineral wealth and blue for peace. The ox hide combat shield is from the traditional Swazi Emasotsha Regiment.