King inspects virgins
2007-09-02 21:28
Lobombo - Tens of thousands of bare-breasted virgins have lined up for inspection by King Mswati III on Sunday in Swaziland's annual reed dance, which is always riven with speculation over whether the king will choose a new bride.
The event is an important fixture in the cultural calendar of this deeply traditional southern African kingdom and is held in honour of the Swazi queen mother.
But the 39-year-old king, who already has 13 wives, also sometimes controversially uses the occasion to select a new bride.
Participation in this year's dance was thought to be up on previous years with some reports estimating that about 40 000 girls converged on the royal residence at Ludzidzini, about 25km south of the Swazi capital Mbabane.
The festival kicked off on Wednesday when the girls were dispatched by the king to cut reeds on a nearby river bank and ends with a second dance on Monday.
Visitors from Australia, the United States and Britain were among the spectators, who were under strict instructions not to wear hats, point or kneel.
Among the king's guests were Zambian King Levy Mwanawasa and South Africa's ANC deputy president and ANC presidential candidate Jacob Zuma.
The reeds collected by the girls are used as a wind breaker in huts and fences.
- SAPA