http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/virgin-on-ridiculous/2005/08/30/1125302565996.html ----- damn ----- 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."
"Son, I know we never talked about this. I always assumed you had sex with your bathers. I know I do. "
forreal though . . . but then again . .the king probably gets to check them all THOROUGHLY Rocket River
$20 million on luxuries while everyone else tries to feed the country's people? Where's Pat Robertson when you need him?
didn't they see Braveheart, this is a revolution waiting to happen. I'll have all the money and sleep with your virgins too. Yeah, ok, this won't last much longer.
