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| Maselekwane Modjadji I | |
|---|---|
| Rain Queen of Balobedu | |
| Reign | 1800–1854 |
| Predecessor | Position established |
| Successor | Masalanabo Modjadji |
| Died | 1854 South African Republic in an area now in Limpopo, South Africa |
| Issue | Masalanabo Modjadji Princess Leakhali Modjadji |
| House | Modjadji |
| Father | Mukoto, Chief of the Karanga |
| Mother | Princess Dzungundini |
Maselekwane Modjadji I (died 1854) was the first Rain Queen of the South African Balobedu nation. Maselekwane reigned from 1800 to 1854. She was succeeded by Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji II.
The woman who became the first Modjadji was known as Maselekwane Modjadji I. She lived in complete seclusion, deep in the forest where she practiced secretive rituals to make rain. Maselekwane committed ritual suicide by ingesting poison in 1854.[1] She was seen as an intercessor or intermediary between her people, the royal ancestors and the rain goddess.[2]
- ^ "The Rain Queen and the Lobedu: A North Sotho Nation | Rain Queens: Female leadership traditions of Africa". rainqueensofafrica.com. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "South African Balobedu People Crown 'Rain Queen'". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.