Swazi virgins get busy ahead of annual ritual

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

NGABEZWENI, Swaziland (AFP) — Swaziland's King Mswati III on Thursday sent more than 50,000 virgin girls into the fields to cut reed for an annual ritual next week at which he may choose his 14th bride.

The ceremony on Monday comes ahead of controversial double celebrations to mark the impoverished kingdom's 40 years of independence from Britain and Mswati's 40th birthday on September 6.

"Since you know that the country is faced with these major activities, I urge you to behave yourselves and make sure that you display respect so that tourists would return to the country," the Queen mother, Ntombi Twala, told the girls.

The girls were sent to two locations to cut reeds to be used in the annual Reed Dance ceremony at Ludzidzini royal palace near the capital...