Posted on 08/29/2005 8:02:33 PM PDT by F14 Pilot
Swaziland (Reuters) -- More than 50,000 bare-breasted virgins vied to become the king of Swaziland's 13th wife Monday in a ceremony that critics say ill befits a country with the world's highest HIV/AIDS rate.
King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch, is due to attend the annual Reed Dance ceremony, which he has used since 1999 to pluck new brides from thousands of dancing girls dressed in little more than beads and traditional skirts.
Clad in short beaded skirts and colorful tasseled scarves and carrying machetes, the girls sang tributes to the king while marching around the royal stadium flanked by male minders dressed in animal skin loincloths.
"I want to live a nice life, have money, be rich, have a BMW and cell phone," said one dancer, 16-year-old Zodwa Mamba. "But the king will not choose me, I am too ugly."
Critics say Mswati, who has courted controversy for his lavish lifestyle while two thirds of his subjects live in abject poverty, sets a bad example by encouraging polygamy and teenage sex in a country where 40 percent of adults live with HIV.
And some say the Reed Dance, traditionally meant to celebrate womanhood and virginity, has become little more than a showcase for the king's young would-be brides.
"The Reed Dance has been abused for one man's personal satisfaction," Mario Masuku, leader of the banned opposition party, told Reuters.
"The king has a passion for young women and opulence."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Don't tell me you're one of those vegans too! We have enough in Minneapolis.
LOL
I've heard him say that Viagara made it possible for him to "DO" it again.
I don't know. I had a girlfriend in 1969, we got married in 1972. September 9th of this year, we will be celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary. Is this a bad thing? Or do you think there should be arranged marriages from birth?
Not saying that. Just making an observation as to what happens when men multiply wives. I don't understand where you get the arranged marriages thing from my post.
Now you need to choose... A,B,C, cups and then the matrix expands into the disease factor, who is holding the AK47, and assorted jealous multiple husbands outside... I think we're up to a risk factor ratio of over 50 million.
I think I'll stay home with my wife of 33 years.
I've been married to the same woman for 33 years, and she hasn't 'multiplied' yet. One is enough.
Whew that's a relief *lol*
All I know is......
ONE wife is as much of a challenge as I can handle.
13 would drive me stark-raving mad.......
"Swaziland (Reuters) -- More than 50,000 bare-breasted virgins vied to… "
The reporter has a flare for opening sentences."
And to think Muslim men when they die only get 72....
Me too. It takes them an hour and a half to convey the indoor temperature in the kitchen.
Imagine TWO? You could refinance the house before they would, or could, finish the conversation. Meanwhile, my friends and I could catch a dozen bass and had a few cold frosties.
My guess is that is a dance for the mentally disabled. In a way, yes, funny, but not really in the best taste.
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