Lobedu, Lovedu, noun
- Forms:
- Also loBedu.
- Plurals:
- baLobedu, unchanged, or vhaLobedu; occasionally also Balobelu.
- Origin:
- Northern Sotho, VendaShow more From Northern Sotho BaLobedu, plural form of MoLobedu a member of this people, probably an early variant of molobedi one who pays tribute or homage (plural balobedi), from lobela pay tribute or homage for, from loba pay tribute or homage; forms with vha- and -vedu are from the Venda spelling VhaLovedu (singular MuLovedu). See also quotation 1979.
A member of a people of the Northern Sotho group, living mainly in the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo), among whom the Rain Queen lives and over whom she rules. See also North(ern) Sotho (Sotho sense 1 c). Also attributive.
1931 E. Krige in Bantu Studies V. 207Among the Balobedu whose queen Modjadge is renowned for her great rain-making powers, rain ceremonies predominate.
1990 J. Knappert Aquarian Guide to Afr. Mythology 205The Lovedu pride themselves on their female ancestry and give a high status to women, which is quite exceptional in Africa.
A member of a people of the Northern Sotho group, living mainly in the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo), among whom the Rain Queen lives and over whom she rules.
- Derivatives:
- Hence (nonce) Lobeduize transitive verb, to assimilate (someone) into this people.1943 E.J. & J.D. Krige Realm of Rain-Queen 174The queen has accepted wives even from the Shangana-Tonga,..and after a time they become sufficiently Loveduized to be given in marriage to commoners.
Copyright © 2023 Dictionary Unit for South African English.