The parade of virgins in Swaziland in 2017

• Virgins Parade in Swaziland in 2017

Swaziland - miniature state in southern Africa - remains one of the few countries in the world where the monarch enjoys absolute power. King Mswati III has ruled since the mid-80s, but he is only 49 years old, and still a lot of strength.

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At the moment, it has 13 official wives, and their ranks are constantly replenished. Selecting a new wife - a key event of the annual Feast of the cane. Thousands of virgins from all over the country come to the royal palace in the hope of being selected in the spouses and to escape poverty.

Holiday cane, or as it is called, Holiday purity in Swaziland is comparable in popularity with our New Year. Almost all virgin country gather in makeshift camps near the royal residence. And not too upset when the choice falls not on them. After all festival participants for a week fed at the expense of the public treasury. By African standards is a very generous share.

What a strange name - "Holiday cane?" The fact is that within a few days the girls gather reeds to the fence that surrounds the king. This fence is the major power status. But not too durable, so every year it breaks down and construct a new one.

Actually, for the freshly fence king and makes his choice. As it happens - the strictest confidence. And onlookers gather at the palace to take a look at the parade of virgins. The spectacle, I must say, impressive: a huge crowd of half-naked women dancing diligently, rows of moving towards the stadium, where they looks Mswati III.

By the way, the concept of virginity in Swaziland is interpreted very specifically. Legislated ban to start having sex before marriage, or up to age 21. If a man illegally deprives innocent girl, he issued a fine of one cow or 170 dollars. However, this does not prevent restore virginity. This is not an operation, of course. Girl enough to come to the priest, expressing readiness for further abstinence, listen to a short gospel - that is, in fact, everything. So how many of these contestants virgins - God knows.

By the end of the presentation of the whole crowd start to the palace area (yes, it's so big). There's a king in one known method it chooses a new wife. Or does not choose, if no one will like. The latest darling - Phindile Nkambule - he presented the new BMW X6, and build a separate palace for her.