Sumalagu

Sumalagu (Chinese: 苏麻喇姑; pinyin: Sūmálàgū; 1615 – 24 October 1705) was a palace attendant during the Qing dynasty. She was born in 1615 and died on 24 October 1705.

Sumalagu was a close confidante of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, a prominent figure during the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang addressed her as "Gege," a title typically reserved for imperial princesses. Her relationship with the empress dowager suggests she held a position of trusted intimacy within the imperial court.

During the reign of Dorgon, Sumalagu served as a messenger between Prince Shizu and his mother, facilitating communication in a period marked by internal court dynamics and succession matters. She also acted on the wishes of the Empress Dowager to escort Empress Borjigit incognito for medical treatment provided by the Jesuit priest Adam Schall von Bell.

In her role at the court, Sumalagu was responsible for teaching the Manchu language to the young Kangxi Emperor, helping him acquire linguistic skills that would be significant during his reign. Her support for the Kangxi Emperor included backing his assertion of authority against the power base of Oboi in the years 1667 to 1669.

In 1687, her duties expanded to include the care of Yuntao, one of the sons of the Kangxi Emperor, indicating her continued importance and trust within the imperial household.

Throughout her life, Sumalagu served various roles associated with communication, education, and courtly support, demonstrating her significant involvement in court affairs during the early Qing dynasty.