Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - August 18, 2005
Swaziland's maidens will forsake their tassels and the umchwasho chastity pledge on August 22, ahead of the annual reed-dance ceremony where the king is expected to choose yet another new bride, state-run Radio Swaziland said on Thursday.
"I have it in command from his majesty to order all the national flowers [maidens] to converge on Ludzidzini [the royal palace] on Sunday so that they can drop the woollen tassels on Monday," said a spokesperson for Swaziland's maidens, Nkhonto Dlamini.
"The woollen tassels will be burnt to mark the end of the ritual introduced by the monarch in 2001," she said in a message repeatedly aired by the radio station.
Introduced by Mswati in September that year, the rite was aimed at reducing the spread of HIV and Aids in a country with the world's highest infection rate, where close to 40% of adults live with the disease.
Breaching the chastity vow before marriage was punishable and any person who violated a maiden was fined one cow, or about 1 300 emalangeni (R1 300).
But the practice had been attacked by social workers who said it was ineffective.
Mswati himself breached the ban and was fined a cow for picking a teenaged girl as his ninth wife.
Parents of young Swazi men said they are glad to see the end of umchwasho, which they said left them impoverished as they had to help their sons pay for their transgressions.
The annual reed dance, where bare-breasted maidens perform before he king, will start on August 28 and last for two days.
050818
SA050804
Copyright © 2005 - South African Press Association. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the South African Press Association, Cotswold House, Greenacres Office Park, Cnr. Victory & Rustenburg Roads, VICTORY PARK, PO BOX 7766, JOHANNESBURG, 2000; Fax No: +27 11 782-1587/8, Tel No: +27 11 782-1600.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .