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The Swazi are a Nguni speaking people who live in Southern Afrika among other Bantu people. It is believed that the Swazi originated in East Afrika and moved from that area during the great Nguni expansion southward to their present location. They did cross the Limpopo River and settled in an area called Tongaland, which is now Mozambique. The leader of the Swazis at this time was Dlamini, who became one of the legendary leaders of the people. His descendants had established a dynasty that lasted for more than two centuries.

The Swazi culture shows evidence of migration and integration during contact with numerous other ethnic groups, but they maintain, through their intact genealogical linkages to the older clan founders which is a remarkable attachment to their ancestral values and traditions. The Royal tree put Dlamini as the significant founder of the Swazi people. Kings who came after him, in order of succession include Mswati i, Ngwane II, Dlamini II, Nkosi II, Mavuso I, Magudulela, Ludvonga, Dlamini III, Ngwane III, Ngwane III, Ndvungunye, Sobhuza I, Mswati II, Ludvonga II, Mbandzeni, Ngwane V, Sobhuza II and the present reigining monarch Mswati III.

King Ngwane III is said to be of special importance in the history of the Swazis because it is he who gave the nation one of its names. When his people began to settle in present day Swaziland, they call it “kaNgwane” (the place or country of Ngwane). The name kaNgwane has remained to the present time and is the one by which the Swazi people usually call themselves.