According to tradition, the people of the present Swazi nation migrate south before the 16th century to what is now Mozambique. Following a series of conflicts with people living in this area the Swazis settle in northern Zululand in about 1750. Unable to match the growing Zulu strength, the Swazis move gradually northward in the 1800s and establish themselves in present-day Swaziland. They establish their own Kingdom of Swaziland. Swaziland has to accept a protectorate of the Boer Republic of Transvaal in 1894, but after the Boer Wars Britain establishes in 1902 a protectorate over Swaziland.

In 1921 king Sobhuza takes office. That year Swaziland gets its first legislative body, an advisory council of elected European representatives mandated to advise the British high commissioner on non-Swazi affairs. In 1944 the high commissioner recognizes the paramount chief, or king, as the native authority for the territory to issue legally enforceable orders to the Swazis. Political activity intensifies in the early 1960s. Several political parties are formed and jostle for independence and economic development. The traditional Swazi leaders, including king Sobhuza II and his Inner Council, form the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM), a political group that capitalizes on its close identification with the Swazi way of life. Responding to pressure for political change, elections for the first legislative council in which the Swazis would participate are held in 1964. In these election the INM wins all seats. In 1968 the Kingdom of Swaziland becomes an independent constitutional monarchy. The first government is formed by the royalist INM.

In 1972 an opposition party, the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), wins three seats in parliament. Parliament declares the constitution unworkable in 1973 and in 1977 parliamentarism is abolished. Swaziland is from that moment on an absolute monarchy, which doesn't allow parties to participate in the legislative elections. In 1979 a new parliament is convened, chosen partly through indirect elections and partly through direct appointment by the king. Sobhua dies in 1982. After some regents king Mswati III asumes the throne in 1986. After the formation of an underground political party, the Peoples' United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the king allows a handful of political reforms, including direct and indirect voting, in the 1993 national elections.