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Balobedu Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Kolobe (wild pig/bushpig) — they are described as 'ba bina kolobe', those who dance to/venerate the wild pig. Royal/principal families associated with this totem include Modjadji, Mohale and Ramafalo.
History & origin
The Balobedu (Lobedu) are a Northern Sotho-related people of Limpopo Province, concentrated in the Greater Letaba, Greater Tzaneen, Ba-Phalaborwa and Greater Giyani areas and the Ga-Sekgopo villages. Tradition traces their origin to a group that fled south from the Karanga/Mutapa world of present-day Zimbabwe carrying a sacred rain charm; they settled in the Molotsi Valley. The Balobedu are world-famous for their hereditary female ruler, the Rain Queen (Modjadji), believed to control rainfall. Maselekwane Modjadji I established the matrilineal female succession in the early 19th century. The kingdom features in Southern African oral history and inspired literary works such as Rider Haggard's 'She'.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Modjadji, Mohale, Ramafalo, Sekgopo.
We publish the full diboko (clan praises) only once we can verify them against documented tradition — for this clan they are still being confirmed. If you can share an authoritative version, corrections are warmly welcomed.