The Ncwala, or first fruit ceremony is considered to be the most sacred and colorful of all the Swazi ceremonies in which the King plays a dominant role. The Ncwala is usually held in December or January upon a date chosen carefully by Swazi astronomers in conjunction with the position of the sun relating to the phases of the moon, and takes place over three weeks. The festival serves as a time to honour the royal family which is though to be a source of fertility for the country. This is quite apt as the late King Sobhuza had over one hundred wives and six hundred children.

The ritual begins as the Bemanti clan or "water people" make their way to the Mozambique coast, where they collect the foam from the waves, which is believed to have healing powers. The return to the Royal palace commences in the celebration of the Little iNcwala, which takes place before the appearance of the full moon. Following the little iNcwala, young men venture into every corner of the country to collect the sacred branches of a certain species of acacia, the Lusekwane. Tradition dictates that the leaves of this tree will wilt in the hands of any young man who has been intimate with married women, or has impregnated a young maiden. The lusekwane branches are then taken to the Royal garden to build a small enclosure.

Upon the third day an ox is ritually slaughtered by the groups of youths for feasting the next day. This promotes a sense of solidarity and unity among the young men and a spirit of valour which is essential in fostering national unity, loyalty and discpline. The boys who are too young to take part in the lusekwane gathering, stack the imbondvo, or willow tree branches around the enclosure.

The fourth day of the Ncwala brings the sacred ritual to an end, when the King with his face painted, and dressed in full ceremonial dress consisting of animal skins, grass skirt and feathers in the hair, joins his warriors in the Ncwala dance. The King then enters a special hut which is called an "inhlambelo" located within the sacred enclosure. After further rituals, he eats the fruits of the new season, usually a pumpkin. Upon the appearance of the King to his people, he then throws the rind into the crowd who erupt into a frenzy and chant and dance songs of the season. The Swazi nation can then eat the first fruits with the blessing of their ancestors. The final burning of the King's bedding and household items follows, thus cleansing everything in readiness for the new year. The fifth day is set aside exclusively for rest and meditation, and the sixth day is finally celebrated with massive bonfires. Various items from villages and individuals are burnt on these bonfires to herald the beginning of the New Year.