 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2014) |
| Modjadji | |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Founded | 1800 |
| Founder | Maselekwane Modjadji I |
| Current head | Masalanabo Modjadji VII |
| Titles | Rain Queen |
| Estate(s) | Balobedu |
Queen Modjadji, or the Rain Queen, is the hereditary queen of Balobedu, a people of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Rain Queen is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control the clouds and rainfall.[1] She is known as a mystical and historic figure who brought rain to her allies and drought to her enemies. She is not a ruler as such, but a powerful rainmaker and a traditional healer (ngaka).[2]
As of March 2024[update], the title is in dispute between two claimants.
The traditional installation of Prince Lekukela Modjadji as the king of the Balobedu took place in October 2022 at Khetlhakoni Royal Palace in Modjadjiskloof outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.[3] Princess Masalanabo, who was expected to be the next Rain Queen, is intended by the faction of the Modjadji Royal Council that installed him to now take a position reserved for her and become the Khadikholo (great aunt) of Balobedu.[4][5][6]
The other claimant is Lekukela's sister, who is known to loyalists as Masalanabo II Modjadji VII. She is the daughter of the last Rain Queen, Makobo Modjadji VI. A ceremony to celebrate her 18th birthday was held in April 2023 at the Kara Heritage Institute in Pretoria; it was organized by the Balobedu Heritage Society, which was founded by her great grandmother Mokope Modjadji V. The event was used to launch her history booklet "Masalanabo Modjadji VII: Daughter Of The Sun". She will be crowned by a rival faction of the Modjadji Royal Council.[7][8][9][10] Originally planned for April 2024, her coronation will take place in September 2024.[11]
The matter of the succession is currently before the courts of South Africa.
- ^ Davidson, Patricia; Mahashe, George (2012). "Visualizing the Realm of a Rain-Queen: The Production and Circulation of Eileen and Jack Krige's Lobedu Fieldwork Photographs from the 1930s". Kronos (38): 47–81. ISSN 0259-0190. JSTOR 41940661.
- ^ "South African Balobedu People Crown 'Rain Queen'". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Mndayi, Zingiswa (1 October 2022). "Prince Lekukela Modjadji installed as King of the Balobedu". SABC News. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Allsop, Jon (21 September 2018). "The Restoration of South Africa's Rain Queen". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ Njanji, Susan. "SA's pre-teen queen with 'rainmaking' powers" Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine, The Citizen (November 6, 2017).
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
TimesZAwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Rain Queens of baLobedu, South Africa || BaLobedu Modjadji Royal Family || Modjadji Royal Nation - THE AFRICAN ROYAL FAMILIES". theafricanroyalfamilies.com. 20 May 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Dube, Aaron. "WATCH: Rain queen celebrates 18th bday in style!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Princess Masalanabo to be inaugurated in August". Letaba Herald. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Masalanabo Modjadji's queenship endorsed". Letaba Herald. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Queen Modjadji drama unfolds as series airs on TV". TVSA. Retrieved 30 June 2024.