The Unique Laws and Lifestyle of eSwatini's King

Delve into the intriguing world of eSwatini's King Mswati, who made headlines by renaming his country and embracing polygamy. With a fortune of 143.4 billion rupees, he leads a lavish lifestyle, gifting luxury cars to his 15 wives. The annual topless virgin girls' parade adds to the uniqueness of his reign, where tradition meets modernity in one of the world's poorest nations. Explore the complexities of this monarchy and its unusual laws that continue to captivate the world.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 27, 2026, 05:11 IST

A Surprising Name Change

Africa is renowned for its peculiar laws, but a particularly strange event occurred three years ago. In April 2018, the king of this region made a shocking decision that left many astonished: he changed the name of his country from Swaziland to The Kingdom of eSwatini, which translates to 'land of the Swazis.'

The Wealth of King Mswati

King Mswati of eSwatini is known for his immense wealth, estimated at around 143.4 billion rupees. While many wealthy individuals own private jets, this king has his own airport. His whimsical nature led him to rename the country after himself on his birthday three years ago.

Polygamy and Royal Marriages

Another intriguing law in eSwatini allows citizens to have multiple wives, a privilege that the king has taken full advantage of. He has married a total of 15 women, currently residing with them in his palace.

Extravagant Gifts and Modern Traditions

The king enjoys giving extravagant gifts, having presented all his wives with luxurious Rolls Royce cars, along with several BMWs. His lavish lifestyle is evident, and he has a penchant for marrying new wives, with his latest marriage occurring just last year.

The Unique Tradition of the Annual Parade

Each year, eSwatini hosts a topless virgin girls' parade, where the king can choose any participant as a wife, and refusal is not an option. Additionally, girls who do not participate may face punishment from the king.

A Monarchy in a Modern World

In today's modern era, the existence of such a king and his unusual laws is quite remarkable. Notably, eSwatini is listed among the world's poorest countries, often referred to as Africa's last monarchy, where a traditional system of governance still prevails.