The Special Collections Book of the Week this week is:

Identification of Indigenous Cycads of South Africa by Cornia Hugo.

This book is a practical, easy to use guide for the identification of indigenous cycad (Encephalartos) species. Clear photographs of each of the 37 Encephalartos species, an identification key and the outstanding features of each species is included, with all the different variations that occur within the indigenous South African cycad species.

One species of cycad, Encephalartos transvenosus, is known as the Modjadji cycad. This tall majestic tree has a localized distribution in the mountains of the Limpopo Province, where it forms the only cycad forests in Southern Africa. The Modjadji cycad is sacred to, and has been protected by, generations of the Rain Queens (whose hereditary name is Modjadji) of the Lobedu people, who traditionally reside near the cycad forests.

This #WomensMonth UP Special Collections celebrates the power of women, which is joyfully embodied in the sculpture ‘The Rain Goddess’ by Willem de Sanderes Hendriks. This sculpture depicts a woman welcoming rain after a long time of drought. In African lore and mythology rain, and its accompanying thunder, is synonymous with power, therefore the power of nature is encapsulated within the female figure of this sculpture. Queen Modjadji, the Rain Queen, is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control the clouds and rainfall, and this sculpture is often associated with her. ‘The Rain Goddess’ was recently installed in front of the Old Merensky, and we encourage the UP Community to go and view this thought-provoking artwork.

Special Collections has an exhibition on Queen Modjadji on level 3 of the Merensky 2 Library for the month of August.

Access: https://univofpretoria.on.worldcat.org/oclc/221829202

This book is available at Special Collections, housed on level 5 of the Merensky 2 Library, and is part of our Africana (ZA) Collection.

Information on ‘The Rain Goddess’ sculpture was provided by UP Museums. For information on their collections go to their webpage:  https://www.up.ac.za/museums-collections

The Special Collections unit of the Department of Library Services plays a stewardship role in the acquisition and preservation of the Library's rare and valuable information resources, making them accessible to students, staff and researchers, as well as safeguarding them for future generations.