Swazi king runs eye over 50,000 virgins
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."
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at 8/31/2005 04:02:00 AM.
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6:40 AMtheir culture is so different, and honestly...it makes me thankful i got to grow up in America. (or if I had grown up in any other society that valued women)
this makes me sad...and i totally agree with you taylor...
oh yeah second
7:24 AM
luper that is your dream come true!
oh yeah 3rd
8:27 AM
The economics in this whole thing kill me. All the money at the top, sex as a commodity and Western status symbols as an end-all. Sounds more like America than less like it to me. We just have a bigger broom and a bigger carpet under which to neatly sweep our crap. Meanwhile, countries like this grope after our lifestyle. Growing up in America - privilege and responsibility.
10:11 AM
Seth...it's good to have you here; it's been a fair bit of time.
Anywho, congrats on your baby having a unit. That's awesome...good stuff.
Please tell Ashley hey from me.
3:02 PM
i think this point illustrates why we really wont be able to stop the AIDS epidemic in africa.
luper
i dont know man, could you pull the trigger!
4:36 PM
luper hasnt had the action on his gun cleaned in so long its probably frozen stiff. and you are so right there beav, its like a "i wanna catch aids parade"
11:23 PM
Beaver and Brock...OMG! haha...it's so good that God seperated the two of you!
Taylor, I agree with Amy! :)
11:50 AM
HAHAHA...that's funny Amy and Ash.
Anyway...This is a very atrocious deal...I can't believe the irresponsibility of the Swazi king...that's not leadership! Or I guess it is, to some extent…
12:25 PM
I must say that this article rattled me a bit. It got me thinking about how different our cultures are, but also about how many people are going to desperate measures to meet the love of their life. All these stupid reality shows that promise love and happiness, but only provide more heartbreak at the expense to entertain. I think that is sad too. just a thought.
12:59 PM
wow...thought provoking...
9:47 PM
ashleigh
what do you mean by that
1:51 PM
I was referring to the things that the two of you say when you work each other up. It's a good thing God has put some distance between the two of you! :) Y'all are great for laughs, but sometimes... (haha) :)
6:48 PM
oh yeah well i wish we lived next door to each other that way we could have some real fun! aint that right beav
10:01 PM
haha...Brock, I can assure you that my comment was said with love behind it! :) However, I had to take up for my Lupe...it's in the contract! :)
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