Chapter 955 Confused (1/2)

Since the restoration of national sovereignty, the peoples of South Africa have restored the great importance of their own traditions.

In the past, white British rulers had tried to weaken the adherence to traditions, believing that by limiting the spread of national culture, they would be able to control the spirit of black people.

Whether it worked or not was doubtful, but in the end, under Mandela's leadership, the native people regained control of the country.

The native South Africans recognized the sinister intentions of the colonists, and once they were back in power, various ethnic groups started a movement to preserve the traditions and revive the culture.

In addition, since traditionally the Zulu marriage was polygamous, the status of women did not get due attention. Some women disdained the tradition of chastity, and the numbers of unmarried mothers increased. The phenomenon of children only knowing their mothers and not their fathers has become widespread.

Due to a combination of several reasons, the Zulu revived the ancient ritual, which received support from the news media.

Slowly, throughout the Zulu region, the tradition of testing whether unmarried girls have given birth has been revived and was even made into a trendy event.

When carrying out this kind of activity in a group setting, young girls of 15 or 16 years would come from all over the area to a particular place on a particular day, lie down side by side on grass mats spread upon the ground, and allow an old tribeswoman to examine them.

These old women have undergone certain professional training. They learned from the old virgin woman that serves the goddess of birth. They knew the mysterious method that identified a woman's virginity.

Hearing this explanation, Li Du was stunned. ”This is unbelievable!”

Big Ivan said, ”Wasn't it scientifically proven that a woman's virginity isn't determined by the presence of the hymen?”

The lion hunter took a deep puff on his cigar, blew out the smoke, and said, ”There is no science in Zulu territory, only ancestral traditions -- stupid, isn't it?”

He was unabashed, and gave a disdainful look when he said that. The Zulu man who was laughing around him did look embarrassed.

Because of the wealth and status of the lion hunter, they could not refute him and did no more than mumble a few words after he spoke.

For the Zulu people, this was a solemn ceremony which no man, not even a little boy, was allowed to witness. Those who did would be punished.

The area was surrounded by a long blue cloth, creating an enclosure of sorts. Li Du did not know what was happening inside and wondered, ”Sophie is not a Zulu girl, so why would she stay inside?”

The lion hunter said, ”Because when this ceremony is held, in order to show justice, it should be observed by someone who is not of this tribe. Sophie is your fiancé and my guest of honor, and is regarded as an important person from a developed country.”

”I thought your people would hate white people. After all, white people used to rule you,” said Li Du.

The lion hunter shrugged and said proudly, ”They hate white people, but they can't hate my guests.”

Ten minutes later, the wall of blue cloth was opened and a group of five girls came out.

The girls' foreheads were dubbed with yellow mud, just like the mark the old woman had. They walked cautiously and proudly, wearing nothing but jewelry on their naked upper bodies.

The lion hunter nodded. ”They have passed the test. They are still pure. They will be protected by the goddess.”

”Will they be fortunate enough to marry a man who loves them with all his heart? A man who won't marry another woman?” said Lu Guan casually.