Hhohho Region

Hhohho (ss) is a region of Eswatini, located in the north western part of the country.

Hhohho was named after the capital of King Mswati II, who expanded the Swazi territory to the north and west, taking in the districts of Barberton, Nelspruit, Carolina and Piet Retief.

The region of Eswatini which is today Hhohho was inhabited in earlier times by the Khoisan people.

This briefly shifted the political centre of Eswatini northwards, first to minimise the danger of invasion by Zulu forces from the south, and later to expand and conquer lands in the north.

During Eswatini's status as a British protectorate (1903–68), the borders of Hhohho were officially drawn, with its capital – and that of the country – being Mbabane.

In the northwest of Eswatini, gold was discovered, drawing a large number of miners and settlers in the area.

The town of Ngwenya on the western border of Eswatini with South Africa, is home to the oldest known iron-ore mine in the world.

Being home to the capital of the country, and hosting a significant fraction of the Manzini-Mbabane corridor, it has Eswatini's biggest urbanized population.

The area around the towns of Piggs Peak and Bulembu is home to many planted forests and sawmills.

Most rural dwellers continue to cultivate rain-fed crops on Swazi Nation Land, and keep small amounts of livestock.

The umhlanga festival, held at Ludzidzini Royal Kraal, is one of the most famous cultural events in Eswatini.

Hhohho is also home to the Malolotja nature reserve, a place renowned for its hiking trails.

A campus of the national University of Eswatini is located in Mbabane, and specializes in health and environmental sciences.

The Eswatini College of Technology (SCOT), is also located in Mbabane, and focuses on various technical trades.