It's good to be a king

November 4, 2002 11:43 AM

It's good to be a king... of Swaziland. Sounds like we may be witness to decline of one of the oldest absolute monarchies in the world. It's amazing to me that there are still corners of our planet where kidnapping young women into "marriage" is deemed acceptable.
posted by blindcarboncopy (5 comments total)

You obviously are in need of diversity training...
posted by Pressed Rat at 11:51 AM on November 4, 2002

swaziland was always the only african country whose capital I could remember. Thanks to my 5th grade history teacher. I can hear him now: MMMMMMMMBABANE!
posted by sodalinda at 11:53 AM on November 4, 2002

This seems just plain wrong. The will of a tyrant rather then a king. You do not take women against their will (if it wasn't against her will I doubt the king would have forbidden an interview of his bride to be). The problem with a monarchy is not when you have a good and just man wielding the power, but when you have a nut job or a petty man in charge. The quality can vary too much from generation to generation.
posted by madmanz123 at 11:54 AM on November 4, 2002

swaziland was always the only african country whose capital I could remember. Thanks to my 5th grade history teacher

i saw this story last night. What is ironic, is that my 6th grade teacher married a diplomat from Swaziland. He came and visited our class. I remember asking this guy how many wives the King had. Teacher warned us not to ask any embarrassing questions. thus...

I will not ask rude questions
I will not ask rude questions
I will not ask rude questions...

filled the blackboard 100 times.

never liked her.
posted by clavdivs at 12:17 PM on November 4, 2002

That reed dance is something else - virgins as far as the eye can see - but yes, not everyone thinks it's a great thing.
posted by gottabefunky at 12:23 PM on November 4, 2002