The Hargeysa International Book Fair’s Guest Country panel brought together voices from the Kingdom of Eswatini to explore how indigenous knowledge, cultural preservation, and intergenerational learning continue to shape resilient societies across Africa.
Moderated by Fatima Ahmed Omer, the session featured Dr. Boyie Sabelo Dlamini, an academic and multidisciplinary researcher from Eswatini, alongside Judith Mthupha, a librarian, researcher, and cultural documentation officer whose work focuses on preserving Eswatini’s rich cultural heritage.
Presenting his paper, “The Power of Hybrid Indigenous Knowledge and Contribution,” Dr. Dlamini argued that indigenous knowledge remains a vital force for sustainable social development. He explained that hybrid indigenous knowledge represents the blending of different systems of knowledge rooted in local communities and their environments.
According to Dr. Dlamini, knowledge developed through generations of interaction with particular places provides communities with practical and cultural tools to address contemporary challenges while maintaining their identity. When combined with other forms of knowledge, he said, indigenous wisdom becomes a powerful instrument for transforming society without losing its cultural foundations.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of safeguarding traditions for future generations.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience in information management and heritage preservation, Judith Mthupha shared her work documenting Swazi clan histories, oral traditions, and cultural practices that risk disappearing. Since joining the Eswatini National Trust Commission in 2022, she has played a leading role in protecting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Responding to a question on how young people can actively keep culture alive, Mthupha stressed the importance of involving youth in traditional national events.
She pointed to Eswatini’s renowned Umhlanga Reed Dance, explaining that the celebration is far more than a cultural performance. While participants spend days gathering reeds and preparing for the ceremony, they also receive instruction in cultural values, principles, and community responsibilities.
“The youth are encouraged to attend such events,” she said, noting that these gatherings provide an opportunity to pass cultural knowledge directly from one generation to the next.
The panel reflected the broader theme of the 2026 Hargeysa International Book Fair—Continuity—by demonstrating how living traditions can remain relevant in modern societies.
As this year’s Guest Country, the Kingdom of Eswatini was presented as a nation where centuries-old customs, indigenous governance, and cultural institutions continue to coexist with contemporary life. The discussion highlighted striking parallels between Eswatini and Somaliland, noting that both societies have drawn resilience, stability, and social cohesion from deeply rooted local traditions rather than externally imposed systems.
Speakers described the partnership as an opportunity for mutual learning, bringing together two African societies with shared experiences of protecting identity, preserving heritage, and strengthening communities through culture.
Through literature, oral history, research, and the performing arts, the Guest Country program showcased how indigenous knowledge remains a living resource rather than a relic of the past.
The panel concluded with a shared message that preserving cultural roots is not about resisting change but about ensuring that future generations inherit the knowledge, identity, and confidence needed to shape Africa’s future while remaining firmly connected to its past.