THOUSANDS of bare-breasted Swazi maidens have begun congregating at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace for the Swaziland’s most sacred kingship rite, the weeklong Umhlanga Reed Dance. Swaziland’s absolute monarchs traditionally take a new wife at the annual ceremony. Unmarried maidens, most of whom are still school pupils, will trek more than 40km on foot to cut the sacred Umhlanga reed at special rivers around the capital Mbabane starting on Wednesday. The dancing lasts two days, during which 33-year-old King Mswati III is allowed to choose a maiden as his new fiance. The king currently has seven official wives and one fiance. – African Eye News Service