Swazi king runs eye over 50,000 virgins
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Oh my, freakin, gosh...!!
Check out this Sydney Morning Harold article.
By David Blair in Ludzidzini, Swaziland
Portly and beaming in a leopardskin loincloth, King Mswati III of Swaziland basked in the adoration of 50,000 topless virgins who paraded before him, vying to become his new queen.
Legions of half-naked teenage girls danced, twirled and pounded the earth outside the royal kraal on Monday, proclaiming their willingness to become the next bride of the last absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa. He already has 12 wives and a fiancee.
"We are happy, we are healthy and we are alone," sang thousands of tuneful, high-pitched voices. "We are the flowers of the Swazi people." Mswati reclined on a throne under a golden awning.
This annual Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, is the highlight of Swaziland's traditional calendar. Every chief in the country of a million people sends a group of teenage virgins to the royal kraal in Ludzidzini. Every year the ceremony expands. Monday's occasion attracted more than twice as many girls as last year.
Yet in a country where 42.6 per cent of the adult population is infected with HIV or AIDS - the highest rate in the world - critics say Mswati sets a bad example.
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"It's as if the girls are going on an auction sale with the king picking," said Mario Masuku, the leader of the People's United Democratic Movement, a banned opposition party. "I would not encourage my daughter to take part in this. It is being abused for one man's personal satisfaction."
Last year, the 37-year-old monarch chose 16-year-old Miss Teen Swaziland, Nothando Dube. His eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso, is 17.
The king will study a video of the festivities before choosing a fiancee. She will become a fully fledged queen when impregnated.
Last year the king spent almost $21.5 million on palaces and BMWs for his wives. Meanwhile a third of the population depend on international food aid.
"I want to be a queen because I want to be famous and I want people to look at me," said Gindza Mondlanha, 22, a trainee policewoman. "I also want a BMW - not a Mercedes, a BMW series X5."
Yet some were ardently hoping not to catch the royal eye.
"I don't like it and I don't believe in it," said one 21-year-old participant, who asked not to be named. "I want to pick my own husband and get all the love I deserve as a woman."
Check out this Sydney Morning Harold article.
By David Blair in Ludzidzini, Swaziland
Portly and beaming in a leopardskin loincloth, King Mswati III of Swaziland basked in the adoration of 50,000 topless virgins who paraded before him, vying to become his new queen.
Legions of half-naked teenage girls danced, twirled and pounded the earth outside the royal kraal on Monday, proclaiming their willingness to become the next bride of the last absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa. He already has 12 wives and a fiancee.
"We are happy, we are healthy and we are alone," sang thousands of tuneful, high-pitched voices. "We are the flowers of the Swazi people." Mswati reclined on a throne under a golden awning.
This annual Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, is the highlight of Swaziland's traditional calendar. Every chief in the country of a million people sends a group of teenage virgins to the royal kraal in Ludzidzini. Every year the ceremony expands. Monday's occasion attracted more than twice as many girls as last year.
Yet in a country where 42.6 per cent of the adult population is infected with HIV or AIDS - the highest rate in the world - critics say Mswati sets a bad example.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
"It's as if the girls are going on an auction sale with the king picking," said Mario Masuku, the leader of the People's United Democratic Movement, a banned opposition party. "I would not encourage my daughter to take part in this. It is being abused for one man's personal satisfaction."
Last year, the 37-year-old monarch chose 16-year-old Miss Teen Swaziland, Nothando Dube. His eldest daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso, is 17.
The king will study a video of the festivities before choosing a fiancee. She will become a fully fledged queen when impregnated.
Last year the king spent almost $21.5 million on palaces and BMWs for his wives. Meanwhile a third of the population depend on international food aid.
"I want to be a queen because I want to be famous and I want people to look at me," said Gindza Mondlanha, 22, a trainee policewoman. "I also want a BMW - not a Mercedes, a BMW series X5."
Yet some were ardently hoping not to catch the royal eye.
"I don't like it and I don't believe in it," said one 21-year-old participant, who asked not to be named. "I want to pick my own husband and get all the love I deserve as a woman."
