Why King Mswati III only marries Virgin Maidens

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King Mswati III is the King of Eswatini. The practice of him marrying "virgin maidens" is closely knit to Eswatini culture and tradition, and not just personal preference.

Everything about the Culture

1. Cultural Tradition: Umchwasho and Umkhosi woMhlanga

Eswatini has two big cultural practices linked to this:

- Umchwasho / Reed Dance (Umkhosi woMhlanga)  

This is an annual ceremony where tens of thousands of unmarried, childless young women "maidens" from across Eswatini go to the Queen Mother's palace. They cut reeds and present them to the Queen Mother.  

During this time, participating girls are expected to be virgins and wear no tops as a sign of purity. 

- Choosing a wife  

  After the Reed Dance, it’s traditional for the King to select a new wife from the maidens who participated. The selection is public and seen as a great honor for the girl and her family.

2. Why Virginity is Emphasized

In Swazi culture:

- Purity and lineage: Virginity is tied to respect, tradition and ensuring royal lineage. The royal family is seen as the embodiment of the nation, and so "purity" is symbolically important.

- Continuity: Marrying young women ensures the royal house continues. The King has many wives to represent unity with different clans and regions.

- Cultural identity: The practice is defended as part of preserving Swazi customs, dignity for women and national heritage.

3. How many wives?

The King practices polygamy, which is allowed under Swazi law and custom. He currently has over 10 wives. Each new wife is usually chosen from the Reed Dance maidens.  

There’s also a rule that he cannot marry from certain clans twice, to keep balance between regions.

4. Criticism and Debate

This practice gets both support and criticism:

- Supporters say it preserves culture, gives rural girls exposure and is consensual within their tradition.

- Critics including human rights groups argue about age, consent, and gender equality, especially because some participants are 18-22 years old.

The government of Eswatini maintains that it’s a voluntary cultural ceremony and that participants and their families agree to it.

Conclusion

It’s not that he "only" marries virgins by law, but by Swazi royal custom the King traditionally chooses new wives from the pool of maidens who take part in Umkhosi woMhlanga, where virginity is a cultural requirement for participation.

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