Masalanabo Modjadji
Masalanabo Modjadji II (died 1894) was the second Rain Queen of the South African Balobedu people.
| Masalanabo Modjadji II | |
|---|---|
| Rain Queen of Balobedu | |
| Reign | 1854–1894 |
| Predecessor | Maselekwane Modjadji |
| Successor | Khetoane Modjadji |
| Died | 1894 |
| House | Modjadji |
Reign
Masalanabo reigned from 1854 to 1894. She was preceded by Maselekwane Modjadji I.
During the native "location policies" of the early 1890s, Commandant-General Piet Joubert (1834–1900) surrounded the Rain Queen's home until she was forced to give herself up. Historian Louis Changuion wrote, "It would be the first time that white people would see the Rain Queen." However, what happened was not what they had expected. "After four days," Changuion continues, an elderly black woman was carried out on a litter, accompanied by her chief indunas, to negotiate with the white people. It was a great disappointment to the men watching the proceedings – of 'She-who-must-be-obeyed' there was no trace. She was not the white woman of the legends. It is told that Joubert presented her with a "kappie" (bonnet) and a blanket."
According to the book Realm of a rain-queen, Joubert was shown not the real Rain Queen, but an impersonator.[1]
A mysterious figure who only rarely appeared in public, Masalanabo had several children.[2]
At some point the royal council designated the daughter of her "sister" and "great wife" Leakhali as heir to the throne. Masalanabo committed ritual suicide in 1894, after having named Leakhali as her successor.[2]
She was succeeded by Khetoane Modjadji III.
Legacy
Masalanabo Modjadji is said to be the inspiration for H. Rider Haggard's novel She: A History of Adventure.
References
- J. D. Krige, E. Jensen Krige (1943). The Realm of a Rain-Queen. A Study of the Pattern of Lovedu Society. Oxford University Press.
- Molefi Kete Asante (ed.), Ama Mazama (ed.) (2008). Encyclopedia of African Religion. SAGE Publications.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
| Preceded by Maselekwane Modjadji |
Rain Queen of Balobedu 1854–1894 |
Succeeded by Khetoane Modjadji |