ABSTRACT
The aristocrats who hold their positions by birth, and the age-class officials recognized within the group of their contemporaries for individual merit are usually, but not always, the more wealthy members of the conservative society. Every Swazi participates to some extent in the production of food. 'People hunger, therefore they work', 'no chicken scratches for another', expresses the Swazi attitude to manual labour. It is impossible for the homestead to satisfy its labour requirements at all times, and, apart from the assistance obtained from specialists, Swazi rely on sporadic communal work for a number of activities. Swazi accept economic and social inequality, and approve of wealth as the privilege of men of noble birth. Wealth is unevenly distributed, as one would expect in a peasantry organized under a hereditary and military system. Wealth can be discussed under the headings of land, cattle, and women.
