see more

South African maidens bare breasted as the tradition requires, prepare themselves for the ceremony on September 5, 2014 at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma in the KwaZulu-Natal region, ahead of the 13th anniversary of the Reed Dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) celebrated by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithin. As part of the ceremony, the young women dance bare-breasted for the king, each carrying a long reed, deposited later as they approach the King and is a cultural celebration that promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. AFP PHOTO/MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)

South African maidens bare breasted as the tradition requires, prepare themselves for the ceremony on September 5, 2014 at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma in the KwaZulu-Natal region, ahead of the 13th anniversary of the Reed Dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) celebrated by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithin. As part of the ceremony, the young women dance bare-breasted for the king, each carrying a long reed, deposited later as they approach the King and is a cultural celebration that promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. AFP PHOTO/MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images

AFP MARCO LONGARI

see more

A South African maiden dances as others clap during the Reed Dance ceremony on September 5, 2014 at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma in the KwaZulu-Natal region, during the 13th anniversary of the Reed Dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) celebrated by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithin. As part of the ceremony, the young women dance bare-breasted for the king, each carrying a long reed, deposited later as they approach the King and is a cultural celebration that promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. AFP PHOTO/MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)

A South African maiden dances as others clap during the Reed Dance ceremony on September 5, 2014 at the eNyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma in the KwaZulu-Natal region, during the 13th anniversary of the Reed Dance (uMkhosi woMhlanga) celebrated by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithin. As part of the ceremony, the young women dance bare-breasted for the king, each carrying a long reed, deposited later as they approach the King and is a cultural celebration that promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. AFP PHOTO/MARCO LONGARI (Photo credit should read MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images

AFP MARCO LONGARI

see more

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA: Some 5000 maidens leave their Reeds at His Majesty Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's Enyokeni Palace 08 September 2001 during the Annual Reed dance ceremony, at the town of Nongoma some 400 kilometers south of Durban. The King called on all youth to be aware of the killer disease Hiv-Aids so to prevent his subjects from dying and to make others aware in the community. AFP PHOTO RAJESH JANTILAL (Photo credit should read RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP via Getty Images)

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA: Some 5000 maidens leave their Reeds at His Majesty Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's Enyokeni Palace 08 September 2001 during the Annual Reed dance ceremony, at the town of Nongoma some 400 kilometers south of Durban. The King called on all youth to be aware of the killer disease Hiv-Aids so to prevent his subjects from dying and to make others aware in the community. AFP PHOTO RAJESH JANTILAL (Photo credit should read RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images

AFP RAJESH JANTILAL

see more

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 11: . Maidens line up to dance at the Royal Palace during the annual Reed Dance on September 11, 2004 in Nongoma in rural Natal, South Africa. About 20,000 maidens from all over South Africa arrived to dance for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa-Nongoma about 350 kilometers from Durban. The girls come to the kingdom to declare their virginity and the ceremony encourages girls and young women to abstain from sexual activity to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 11: . Maidens line up to dance at the Royal Palace during the annual Reed Dance on September 11, 2004 in Nongoma in rural Natal, South Africa. About 20,000 maidens from all over South Africa arrived to dance for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa-Nongoma about 350 kilometers from Durban. The girls come to the kingdom to declare their virginity and the ceremony encourages girls and young women to abstain from sexual activity to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Getty Images News Per-Anders Pettersson

see more

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 11: . Maidens stand with their reeds before going to the Royal Palace during the annual Reed Dance on September 11, 2004 in Nongoma in rural Natal, South Africa. About 20,000 maidens from all over South Africa arrived to dance for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa-Nongoma about 350 kilometers from Durban. The girls come to the kingdom to declare their virginity and the ceremony encourages girls and young women to abstain from sexual activity to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 11: . Maidens stand with their reeds before going to the Royal Palace during the annual Reed Dance on September 11, 2004 in Nongoma in rural Natal, South Africa. About 20,000 maidens from all over South Africa arrived to dance for Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Kwa-Nongoma about 350 kilometers from Durban. The girls come to the kingdom to declare their virginity and the ceremony encourages girls and young women to abstain from sexual activity to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Getty Images News Per-Anders Pettersson