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It is called the Reed Dance, but I prefer calling it the Greed Dance
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Kenya :
He rules over Swaziland . . . his people live mostly in huts and survive
on just the equivalent of 50 American cents a day but that is the least of his worries,what he worries most about is his libido.
Tens of thousands of bare-breasted virgin women converge at the royal court of the King of swaziland,The ceremony lasts eight days with the King only attending the last day’s ceremony.The girls wear coloured tassels and woollen streamers denoting whether they are betrothed or not.The Princesses wear red feathers in their hair.
These young women during this ceremony bear reeds for the queen mother.
Half matching half dancing the girls advance on the court to bestow on the queen mother the reeds they were sent to cut from a river bank during the week.
It is at this time that The King is supposed to select another bride.
It is rumoured that the king wants to break his father’s record of wives.
This party is organized by the King and hundreds of millions of shillings are used.
This is misuse of hundreds of millions of cash that would have been made useful in the fight against HIV/AIDS which is alarmingly high in swaziland.
Why should this be encouraged to go on in the 21st century?Why do the people of swaziland allow this to go on to their daughters?
Few women have raised their voices against the practice but they don’t get the help that should help bring and end to this traditional event.
This woman needs someone to fight for her because she has no choice.
It is the highest time that the people of swaziland helped women to stop this tradition that dehumanizes women in swaziland,it is the highest ime the international community helped the people of swaziland because if neglected this might not only be Swaziland’s problem alone but the whole world’s.
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What would the women of Swaziland do when they have to go through such harsh hardships....
They hope if the king marries them then they would the rest of his wives would lead luxurious lives...poverty is the reason
They hope if the king marries them then they would the rest of his wives would lead luxurious lives...poverty is the reason
(Global Perspectives)
yes that is the reason and we shoildn’t blame them we should blame the traditions and the system of government that gives the king right to do as he pleases.
(Local Perspectives)
Why should this be encouraged to go on in the 21st century?Why do the people of swaziland allow this to go on to their daughters?
Why the democratic countries and super powers not acting or keeping mum?
They takes action everywhere but why not here?
Why the democratic countries and super powers not acting or keeping mum?
They takes action everywhere but why not here?
(Global Perspectives)
Yes,people must act now to remove.
(Global Perspectives)
yes vijay,it has to start with the people of swaziland if change has to come then the outer community will stand by them.
(Local Perspectives)
The King’s father (Sobhuza) had 70 wives but Mswati has 13. And even though he might have picked another one this year, he did not. So where are these ”rumuors” that he wants to break his father’s record coming from?
Even though there are protests in Swaziland against the extravagance of these celebrations, the truth is that they still seem to hold their traditions dear and attend them willingly. While some of us might find the practices repugnant, how do we prescribe to a people their lifestyle?
The economy and HIV/Aids is wreaking havoc all round but using these as a basis to purport to fight Swazi culture on behalf the women seems futile.
Even though there are protests in Swaziland against the extravagance of these celebrations, the truth is that they still seem to hold their traditions dear and attend them willingly. While some of us might find the practices repugnant, how do we prescribe to a people their lifestyle?
The economy and HIV/Aids is wreaking havoc all round but using these as a basis to purport to fight Swazi culture on behalf the women seems futile.
(Local Perspectives)
Dear Duncan Mikae,Make it a campaign and i sincerely hope you’ll get plety of support.
(Global Perspectives)
i just wish we had ten people like you who would help champion for this course.
(Local Perspectives)
Rudolf attacked you? You ain’t seen nothing yet. If you stay long here you will see.
Here is the truth: Treatment of women across the Third World is horrible. If you look deep in your own country you will see a lot that need to change. It will begin to change when women are empowered.
You can bet that if the West steps in to change that, locals will begin to scream - asking to be left alone.
What is happening to women of Swaziland in this dance is nothing compare to what is happening in Darfur and Congo and Zimbabwe and the Niger Delta of Nigeria. There people are dying everyday. Where is the outrage?
Here is the truth: Treatment of women across the Third World is horrible. If you look deep in your own country you will see a lot that need to change. It will begin to change when women are empowered.
You can bet that if the West steps in to change that, locals will begin to scream - asking to be left alone.
What is happening to women of Swaziland in this dance is nothing compare to what is happening in Darfur and Congo and Zimbabwe and the Niger Delta of Nigeria. There people are dying everyday. Where is the outrage?
(Global Perspectives)
If we are to solve any African problem we should not think in that line because you might assume that darfur is worse than swazi yet it would be best to deal with problems before they multiply,for instance we should give every problem a priority if we are to achieve anything in the long run because we shall be saving alot that would have been wasted in the long run and this would be used to fight the underlying issues that take Africa back.
(Local Perspectives)
We all know where African problems come from and it is we Africans that can help ourselves,forget about the internationals,it is best to find African solutions to African Problems.
(Local Perspectives)
That is only possible if A FRICAN LEADERS are ready to face the truth and that is a dream that we shall always dream,so it is best to use pressure from out,say for example sanctions and other restrictions.
(Local Perspectives)
Why wait for the leaders? Wha about the follower? Don’t they have responsibility?
(Global Perspectives)
the followers have tried so many times in forms of demonstrations but the leading elite most of the time don’t support their efforts so it has to come from the leadership because the follower has always been on the forefront.
(Local Perspectives)
If it is true that we cannot handle everything at once, where should the piority be? Where people are dying everyday or where people are dancing naked on the street? Imagine telling people in Kenya during the ethnic fight that they have to do something about naked girls who are dancing for a king in Swaziland? Imagine how serious the Kenyans will take you? A person whose house is on fire has no time to pursue mouse.
(Global Perspectives)
Rudolf why don’t you learn to be rational?how can you equate the plight of this women in Swaziland to ”Naked girls dancing for a queen”?,you should find out the impact this nakedness has on the girls of swaziland before you start questioning what Kenyans should have done.
And you are wrong to say that this Swaziland issue isn’t a priority because in its own context it carries weight and nobody has asked anyone to put it first in his interest,i think the world shoud stand up for all who are voiceless.
And you are wrong to say that this Swaziland issue isn’t a priority because in its own context it carries weight and nobody has asked anyone to put it first in his interest,i think the world shoud stand up for all who are voiceless.
(Local Perspectives)
Mr Johnstone,Whole world is like a family nowadays,so give this problem a universal outlook,
Yr comments
”We all know where African problems come from and it is we Africans that can help ourselves,forget about the internationals,it is best to find African solutions to African Problems.”
I’m absolutely not agree.
Yr comments
”We all know where African problems come from and it is we Africans that can help ourselves,forget about the internationals,it is best to find African solutions to African Problems.”
I’m absolutely not agree.
(Global Perspectives)
if you were keen enough you would have realised that i said that because Rudolf wanted us to take a perspective that won’t help the situation in Africa,and i said earlier on that it is best to find African solutions meaning that we could still use international solutions but the best are African because the internationals will always have attached interests in problem solutions.
(Local Perspectives)
What followers? Where have they fought? For how long? If apartheid was defeated by South Africans and hapless African Americans fought and got their civil rights, I do not see anything a group of people cannot fight and win. They have to do so over a long period in a sustained manner. It will not be easy and nobody hands you a win just for the asking.
How many are the elite?
Listen man, Africa has many problems. The naked girls of Swaziland dancing for their king is the least of the problems. It is not on the top ten. What of AIDS? Slave labor? Wars? Poverty? Crime? Malaria? Water? Healthcare? Just to mention a few.
Do you know how many people die of malaria in Africa each day? Do you know how many die of AIDS each year? And War? If you want to launch a campaign, invest your time in something very devastating. But if you choose to fight the Reed Dance, by all means do so. Just don’t tell us it is the end of the African civilization. And don’t scream at us when you write about it. Reserve that screaming for problems that are killing millions each year.
How many are the elite?
Listen man, Africa has many problems. The naked girls of Swaziland dancing for their king is the least of the problems. It is not on the top ten. What of AIDS? Slave labor? Wars? Poverty? Crime? Malaria? Water? Healthcare? Just to mention a few.
Do you know how many people die of malaria in Africa each day? Do you know how many die of AIDS each year? And War? If you want to launch a campaign, invest your time in something very devastating. But if you choose to fight the Reed Dance, by all means do so. Just don’t tell us it is the end of the African civilization. And don’t scream at us when you write about it. Reserve that screaming for problems that are killing millions each year.
(Global Perspectives)
still Africans should be in the fore front,it is said in Africa for example if you want people to fundraise for you, if you are to ask for help,you shouldn’t be bare handed,you should have something in your hand then people will help you where you can’t reach.
Istill hold my stand,Africans should be on the frontline.
Istill hold my stand,Africans should be on the frontline.
(Local Perspectives)
You go, Africa.
So what’s the problem, then?
So what’s the problem, then?
(Global Perspectives)
Rudolf,dont you think cases like these in Swaziland are the main causes of the wide spread of HIV&AIDS in Africa,don’t you think that if this can be stopped it can help the future?
And are you aware that Swaziland is among the leading countries in the world with a high rate of HIV&AIDS infection cases?
Must Africans always shed blood to attain freedom or satisfaction?
If you cant appreciate what my friend Johnstone is talking about then there isn’t much to be said.
And are you aware that Swaziland is among the leading countries in the world with a high rate of HIV&AIDS infection cases?
Must Africans always shed blood to attain freedom or satisfaction?
If you cant appreciate what my friend Johnstone is talking about then there isn’t much to be said.
(Local Perspectives)
AIDS/HIV is also pevalent in South Africa and Uganda and Kenya? Do these countries all have Reed Dance? And isn’t the dance about those who have kept their virginity?
Africa my man is already shedding blood in Darfur, in Congo, in Kenya, in Nigeria...
If you are afraid of shedding blood, you must not be afraid of having your blood shed for a cause. Because for change to happen, blood do get shed. We do not like it but that is the reality of life.
If you go to Swaziland and protest about Reed Dance, chances are that you might be killed. You have to be ready to die if you are serious about stopping it.
Otherwise, you stay on instablog and write on. You can be sure that I will read you from the confort of my home.
Africa my man is already shedding blood in Darfur, in Congo, in Kenya, in Nigeria...
If you are afraid of shedding blood, you must not be afraid of having your blood shed for a cause. Because for change to happen, blood do get shed. We do not like it but that is the reality of life.
If you go to Swaziland and protest about Reed Dance, chances are that you might be killed. You have to be ready to die if you are serious about stopping it.
Otherwise, you stay on instablog and write on. You can be sure that I will read you from the confort of my home.
(Global Perspectives)
Rudolf you still don’t get the point and i give up on you becauseHAVE REALISED i can’t make you understand,the point is,yes there are problems in Africa others more than Swazi’s but if we are to eradicate or reduce them we have to cut the buds;where these problems come from because if we concentrate for example on treating HIV/AIDS CASES without taking care of those not yet infected,then we shall use ARVs for the rest of the lifetime and we will fail to manage the epidemic,my point is,PREVENTION.
(Local Perspectives)
You are right,it is pointless to block a river if you cant block the tributary that feeds the river.
(Local Perspectives)
But the truth be told,Mswati should not be left to run Swaziland in this style,we need to end this monarch system if it is the only thing that will enable checks to the ruling elite.
(Local Perspectives)
and the campaign is still on!
(Local Perspectives)
this world would be a better place if everybody was given a fair hearing Johnstone
(Local Perspectives)
and of course a fair judgment too
(Local Perspectives)
It is a shame that Msawati is still following this habit,it is a shame that he barred a world social meeting from taking place in Swaziland because he feared that many people would have criticized his rule.
(Local Perspectives)
So shameful
(Local Perspectives)
Add your Comment
You the writer, you sound pissed off but you semmed to have enjoyed the pictures... otherwise a link to the site where they are would have been enough... or if you must... just one picture would do.
But you gave us two. Who knows how many you have as you screen saver.
On other thoughts I think he posted the pictures to show the readers how shocking is the custom in Swaziland where virgins present themselves before the king half naked.
those photos are supposed to show how these girls go through traditions that degrade a woman in society.
And i wont be suprised if i learnt that you took the photos for your wallpapers because you am sure that is why you thought i would use them too.