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Definition of Modjadji in English:

Modjadji

(also Madjadja, Modjadje, Mujaji)

Pronunciation /məˈdʒɑːdʒi/

noun

South African

  • 1The Rain Queen, the hereditary queen of the Lobedu people of Limpopo province (formerly northern Transvaal) of South Africa, believed to have special powers including the ability to bring rain.

  • 2More fully "Modjadji cycad", "Modjadji palm" (also "Modjadji's palm"). A tall palm-like cycad, Encephalartos transvenosus (family Zamiaceae), found in Limpopo province (formerly northern Transvaal) of South Africa, having poisonous seeds surrounded by an edible fleshy layer.

Origin

Late 19th century. From Modjadji, the name of a Northern Sotho woman who became the first queen of the Lobedu in the early 19th century (the name being adopted by subsequent queens), perhaps from Lobedu mo-, singular class prefix + tšatši day, sun.