Rain Queen - Succession

Succession

The Rain Queen's official mates are chosen by the Royal Council so that all of her children will be of dynastic status, from which future rain queens may descend. However the Rain Queens are not expected to remain in exclusive relations with these partners. In the past, the Rain Queen was only allowed to have children by her close relatives.

Perhaps uniquely, the Balobedu crown descends according to female primogeniture: The Queen's eldest daughter is always her successor, therefore the title of Rain Queen is normally passed from mother to daughter. It is said that the Queen ingests poison when she is near death so that her daughter will assume the crown more quickly. Lately, however, many traditions have been abandoned, influenced by Christian missionaries. Because Makobo's daughter, Princess Masalanabo, was fathered by a commoner, traditionalists are not likely to accept her as the rightful successor to the throne. Therefore there are worries that the 400-year old Rain Queen dynasty may be coming to an end. No new Rain Queen has been enthroned since Makobo died.

Makobo's brother Prince Mpapatla has been designated Regent for Masalanabo. However Mpapatla has a daughter by his cousin, a woman from the royal Modjadji line, and a group of members of the Royal Council has indicated a preference for Mpapatla's daughter to succeed as Rain Queen. Mpapatla, however, has insisted that his late sister's child Princess Masalanabo will be enthroned as the next Queen when she turns 18.

A male branch of the extended royal clan has also petitioned the South African President to restore the male line of the Balobedu royal house which reigned before 1800. This entreaty is considered unlikely to be granted, inasmuch as the Rain Queen heritage is recognised as a national cultural legacy and interest in it has stimulated significant tourist trade.