A record number of bare-breasted young virgins attended a traditional reed dance to vie for the chance to be King Mswati III of Swaziland’s 14th wife. 
It is estimated that as many as 70,000 maidens showed up. The event took place at Ludzidzini palace outside the capital Mbabane.
“Being chosen by the king would be a bonus for me. I would like occupy one of the royal palaces one day,” one dancer named Hlongwa said shyly.
“I came here to dance. I wish the king would have chosen me because it’s nice at the king’s place. The wives live a nice life,” added Tenene Dlamini, 16, in a traditional brown skirt.
“Everything is done for them. They don’t work. They earn.”
Walking through the dense crowds in a leopard skin loin cloth, Sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch observed the women, one of whom could be his next wife.
The bare-breasted virgins – led by the king’s own daughters – sang and chanted traditional songs before thousands of spectators and tourists who gathered at a sports field outside the palace.
Groups of girls, some clad in sarongs bearing the face of Africa’s last absolute monarch, took turns in dancing to traditional rhythms while some of the queens and other royals joined in.
Critics say Mswati sets a bad example by encouraging polygamy and teenage sex in a country where about 40 percent of adults live with HIV. At the same time, nearly two thirds of his people live in poverty while the King and his many wives live in luxury.
But this year’s Reed Dance – on Swaziland’s calendar since 1999 – took a more serious tone this year. It’s mission was to draw attention to AIDS and encourage abstinence among young women.
Some of the dancers were not there to become Mswati’s 14th wife. Those women were simply there to prove their virginity and show their admiration for the King.
“I respect the king and I respect my culture,” said Nontobeko Sdidlamini, 16, carrying a shield made of animal skin and wearing an orange bracelet which read “Sex Can Wait”.
Seeking to be a royal wife or not, the massive attendance was pleasing to the organizers.
“This year’s record attendance is an indication that our children have more understanding of what our culture is about,” said event co-ordinator Irene Ngwane.
This year’s ceremony precedes a controversial “40-40″ celebration to mark the impoverished kingdom’s 40 years of independence from Britain as well as the king’s birthday.
But not all Swazis are looking forward to the celebrations.
Political groups seeking democratic reforms have become more active in a country where the opposition has been effectively banned since 1973 by royal decree.
Prior to the “40-40″ celebrations, unprecedented demonstrations occured when some of the King’s wives went on a massive shopping spree, in which they bought designer clothes and luxury cars.
During the reed festivities, one of the king’s wives drove up in a fancy BMW. Policemen told people to look the other way.
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