Women as queens on the periphery of their own reign : reading the rain Queen Modjadji-tradition gender-critically

Abstract: This research set to read the reign of the Modjadji Rain Queens from a gender-critical lens. The setting of their dynasty on the one hand in a South African democratic space with an appraisal of women’s rights and on the other in a rural traditionalist setting where women have a designated place under patriarchy. How the Queens navigate their rule in such instances where the modern and traditional seek to occupy the same space calls for such a reading. Thus questions about their ability to autonomously dispense their duties as Queens and exercise freedom over their livelihoods in a culture that emanates from patriarchal rule form the core objectives in this research. It is to delve beyond sensationalist view awash on the internet about rain making to micro level of what such rituals mean to women in general. Diverging from the Western form of feminism which has been suspect of universalising challenges faced by women to the more African one which is more context based, helps in unearthing patriarchal traits directly affecting African women. This research does not intend to discredit one form of feminism over the other, but how such a fusion can help in the emancipation of women as it is the goal with the two brands of feminism. In this regard the Book of Esther, which in itself split feminist asunder, will be used to show salient lines of convergence of the two strands. The book will also be used comparatively to highlight the narrative merging points of the Modjadji queens as well as Queen Esther.M.A. (Biblical Studies