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Post by geirr on Jan 21, 2004 7:33:10 GMT -5
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Post by Artemidoros on Jan 22, 2004 14:42:30 GMT -5
It seems that good king Mswati lives and rules in a medieval fashion. It would be fair if his days ended in the same manner. Weedkiller poisoning would be appropriate (not joking).  |
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Marina
Full Member
Just call me French-Hammerette!
Posts: 245
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Post by Marina on Feb 23, 2004 20:01:21 GMT -5
I read about him in Parade Magazine (apparently he's the 10th worst dictator in the world!)
Seems he watched thoudands of bare-breasted women preform a traditional "reed dance," then selected one to be his 10th wife, and promptly kidnapped her. (His father had 100 wives!)
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Post by kynikos on Mar 21, 2004 20:49:01 GMT -5
Marina, You should however bear in mind that the purpose of the reed dance is for the king to select one (or more) wives, and there is very strong competition amongst the young ladies of Swaziland for the privilege. Frankly, it is not the worst custom in the world by any means, and I am beginning to wonder if should have chosen my wife the same way! (Ha, ha, only kidding, just checking if there are any feminsts around). In any case, unfortunately, I am not a monarch, either, betcha if I was I could arrange a similar reed-dance with no problem, anywhere in the world, doesn't have to be Swaziland. Incidentally, I recently watched a documentary of a British couple who went to try living in Swaziland. He was black, she was white; he hated the servile and passive mindset of the men, but loved the way they lorded it over the women. She liked the women's sociability and solidarity but hated their submission to the men, to the king, and their "cruel" views on children's punishment. An interesting view into a primitive culture. My brother lived there (on business) for a year and he said that all foreigners, black and white, exploit the Swazis at every turn. They don't seem to mind as long as you don't mess with their "customs".... All I can say is Churchill was 100% right: People get the goverment (or monarch) they deserve! My two bits worth... =================== PS. Sorry to break this to you, but you DO realise that's not Lawrence, don't you? That's Peter o'Toole, I think Here's Lawrence, I hope he's not a... disappointment ;D  |
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