Thousands of Zulu maidens gather for annual Reed Dance

NONGOMA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 11: . Maidens take a nap after dancing for hours 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)