Maselekwane Modjadji I (died 1854) was the first

Rain Queen 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. Modjadji R ...

of the South African Balobedu tribe. Maselekwane reigned from 1800 to 1854. She was succeeded by Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji II. Maselekwane was the daughter of Mugodo, Chief of the Kranga and Princess Dzungundini. The child 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 A suicide method is any means by which a person chooses to end their life. Suicide attempts do not always result in death, and a nonfatal suicide attempt can leave the person with serious physical injuries, long-term health problems, and bra ...

by ingesting poison in 1854.

References

1869 births 1959 deaths Rain Queens 19th-century women rulers 19th-century monarchs in Africa {{SouthAfrica-bio-stub