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Modjadji Cycad Sacred Reserve
Bolobedu, Limpopo Province
South Africa
Active (Rain Queen lineage; nature reserve)
Single grove
- Location
- Bolobedu, Limpopo Province
- Coordinates
- ~23.6°S 30.3°E
- Elevation
- Drakensberg foothills
- Size
- Cycad reserve (world's largest cycad concentration)
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (Balobedu Rain Queen tradition); reserve 1979
- Status
- Active (Rain Queen lineage; nature reserve)
- Deity & Religion
- Rain Queen Modjadji (rainmaker); Balobedu (Lobedu) tradition
- Community & Guardians
- Balobedu people
- Vernacular name
- Rain Queen's cycad forest (Balobedu)
- Record type
- Single grove
Cultural practices & uses
Rainmaking; sacred cycad forest tied to the Rain Queen
Plant species
Modjadji cycad (Encephalartos transvenosus) to ~13 m — largest concentration on Earth
Biome & fauna
Limpopo cycad forest
Threats & protection
Modjadji Nature Reserve (1979); cycads endangered
Source
Modjadji Cycad Reserve; TreeCo — The Modjadji Cycad