Swazi politicians are defending the right of women in traditional dress to expose their breasts.
A visiting Nigerian priest angered MPs by saying naked breasts are indecent and encourage the spread of HIV/Aids. The priest, who calls himself Apostle Oseadeba Saint Ekho also said during a special prayer service in parliament that praying to ancestors is outdated.
| "Apostle Oseadeba Saint Ekho"? Betcha he picked that out himself. He was prob'ly born Herman or Willard or Rupert Oseadeba and went for the drama... |
"How can you claim to be fighting the spread of HIV/Aids when you have billboards of bare-breasted women," he said. He cited an advertisement near the capital's international airport which welcoming people to the African kingdom shows a bare-breasted Swazi woman.
| "Bartender! Milk for everyone!" |
He said the kingdom had many other things to offer, other than bare breasts
| So what's wrong with offering everything, including bare hooters? |
On worshipping ancestors, he said: "How can I ask for any help from my ancestors when they know nothing of this fast-moving technological world we live in today. They would only be confused".
| I dunno. I think I'd start 'em off easy, like maybe with driving lessons. It's not like you need a PhD to be an ancestor... |
When the remarks were raised in parliament on Wednesday, politicians said his remarks were insensitive and insulting.
"It is evident that Apostle Saint Ekho is ill-informed about Swazis and their culture," senator Masalekhaya Simelane said. "Swazi men are attracted by women's naked thighs not their breasts," he said.
| Leg men, huh? I try to maintain a balance, myself... |
However, local church leaders have said the Swazi custom of women exposing their breasts is often commercially exploited.
| Well, that's certainly never happened before... |
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