Photo Reveals Teenagers Publicly 'Checked' To Ascertain Their Chastity Status, As Ingwenyama Gets ready To Pick Another Wife!

It is no longer news that the Swazi (age-long) custom permits the King to choose a new wife every year, and that topless virgins are paraded in front of the King, to celebrate chastity and unity.

The damsels, adorned in  short beaded skirts with ankle bracelets and jewelries with colorful sashes, travel to  Royal Kraal, to pay homage to the Queen Mother. 

The 'Umhlanga' Reed Dance ceremony, reveals thousands of Swaziland’s virgins’ dancing topless for King Mswati III. The women sing and dance as they parade in front of the royal family......

.... as well as a crowd of spectators, usually made up of tourists and foreign dignitaries.

The King's daughters also participate in the ceremony, they are distinguished by the crown of red feathers in their hair, and lead the damsels to perform the traditional dance.

Recently, as part of the traditional procedure to help the king select his newest wife, participants, mostly teenagers are publicly 'checked' to ascertain that their virginity is still intact as seen in the picture above.