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  4. African Spirituality and Culture
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Mag'g'bya dancers preparing to celebrate an initiation

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Details
Title
Mag'g'bya dancers preparing to celebrate an initiation
Creator
Marinovich, Greg
Subject
Lobedu (African people)--South Africa--Limpopo--Rites and ceremonies, Marinovich african spirituality
Description
HaModjadji, Lebowa, Northern Transvaal (Limpopo Province) South Africa. Male mag�g�bya dancers wait to be led into the kh�r� or royal courtyard of the Balobedu people at their capital haModjadji in northern South Africa, then part of the Lebowa homeland. The dancers are there to celebrate the initiation of the so called Vyali from the male initiation school - the Vuhwera. This image was taken during the reign of Mokope Modjadji V, who was the fifth Rain Queen. She played a very traditional role, followed all the customs she was expected to and lived in seclusion at the royal compound. In time past, tribes from all over Southern Africa paid homage to the reigning Modjadji as it was believed she could control the rain. Sir Ryder Haggard used her as a model for his character Ayesha in 'She'. 1990.
Publisher
University of Cape Town. Libraries
Contributor
Date
1990
Type
Format
Image, Documentary photography, Image/jpeg, Black and white photograph ; Photograph, Image/jpeg
Identifier
islandora:7198
Source
Language
Relation
Coverage
Rights
Copyright held by the photographer, Greg Marinovich. Please contact the Special Collections at the University of Cape Town Libraries for further information about using and/or publishing this photograph. http://www.specialcollections.uct.ac.za/photographs-and-images

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