Joubert, Annekie2012-05-282012-05-282011Joubert, A 2011, 'Rain songs and the observance of the rain cult amongst the Lobedu people of queen Modjadji', South African Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 6-16.1608-9685 (print)2078-6786 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18916In this article I will first give a short introduction on the social dynamics and the observance of the rain cult amongst the Lobedu people, who form part of the Northern Sotho branch of the Bantu-speaking peoples of southern Africa. Examples of rain songs that I recorded at the tribal capital of the Lobedu rain queen, Modjadji, will then be discussed. The focus of my discussion in the second part will be on (a) the pre-text, reflecting on the circumstances and background surrounding the performance of rain songs; (b) the main text, namely the transcription of the sung words or verbal utterances of the songs; and (c) the interpretative-text that will encapsulate the composition and literary interpretation of the transcribed performed rain songs.enHealth and Medical Publishing GroupLobedu rain queenRain cultLobedu peopleQueen ModjadjiLobedu (African people)Rain-making ritesRain dancesRain and rainfall -- Songs and musicLobedu (African people) -- Songs and musicArticle