Lesotho cultures |Lesotho Marriage, Food, Arts, religion.

CULTURE NAME:

Mosotho(Singular) Mosotho; (Plural)Basotho

Alternative Names:

Kingdom of Lesotho; formerly known as Basutoland.

Orientation:

Identification: The area now called The Kingdom of Lesotho (pronounced le-Soo-too) was originally Basutoland. Both names derive from the common language, Sotho, which was spoken by the many groups which united to form the nation in the early 1800s. Lesotho is often referred to as "The Kingdom in the Sky" or "The Switzerland of southern Africa" because of the stark beauty of its rugged mountainous terrain. It is also described as "The Hostage State" due to the unfortunate situation of being completely surrounded by and dependent upon the Republic of South Africa.

Location and Geography: Covering 11,718 square miles (30,355 square kilometers), the Kingdom of Lesotho is approximately the size of Maryland. The area is ruggedly mountainous, landlocked, and completely surrounded by The Republic of South Africa. It lies between latitudes 28 degrees and 31 degrees south and longitudes 27 degrees and 30 degrees east. The lowlands in the west and south rise from forty-five hundred feet (fifteen-hundred meters) to the highlands of the Maluti and Drakensberg mountain ranges whose highest point, Thabana Ntlenyana, is approximately 10,400 feet (thirty-five hundred meters). Lesotho is unique as being the only nation in the world with all of its land situated more than 3,280 feet (one thousand meters) above sea level. The terrain consists of high veld, plateau, and mountains. The climate is temperate with hot summers and cool to cold winters. A long rainy season during the summer months (December to February) combined with freezing conditions in the winter (June to August) creates adverse travel conditions which isolate much of the highland areas. A wealth of rivers and waterfalls makes Lesotho valuable to the surrounding arid industrial areas of South Africa. The soils are poor, a result of over-grazing, over-cropping, and serious erosion, with only one-eighth of the land being arable.

Demography: The population of Lesotho, in 1998, was estimated to be 2,089,289 with a growth rate of 1.9 percent. At the end of the twentieth century these figures could alter rapidly as the HIV/AIDS crisis impacts the general population. The people of Lesotho are called Basotho (plural) and Mosotho (singular). The culture is cohesive, with Basotho comprising over 99 percent of the country's population, the remainder being of Asian of European origin. Most Asians are traders while the Europeans are businessmen, technicians, government officials, missionaries, and teachers. The highlands are sparsely populated with most of the administrative headquarters and towns located in the lowlands area.

angora wool wall hangings and rugs of Basotho fame.

The Basotho hat, a conical woven hat with a distinctive topknot, is a symbol of Lesotho's unification. It depicts a mountaintop, conical and topknotted, which is visible from the fortress and tomb of Moshoeshoe I (pronounced mo-SHWAY-shway) near Masaru. Both men and women invariably wear the wool Basotho blanket as a cloak, regardless of the season. The careful selection of color and pattern allows for individual expression.

Everywhere in Lesotho one will see the small, sturdy Sotho pony, adept at negotiating the steep mountains and gullies and indispensable for carrying the grain to the mill for grinding. The nation's flag, adopted in 1987, has diagonal stripes of white, blue, and green. White is symbolic for peace ( khotso ), blue for rain ( pula ), and green for plenty ( nala ). A shield that is part of the country's coat of arms appears in the upper left diagonal space. The national anthem is "Lesotho, Land of our Fathers" ( Lesotho fatse la bontat'a rona ).

History and Ethnic Relations:



Emergence of the Nation: Lesotho was originally inhabited by the Bushmen who roamed southern Africa, as evidenced by the Bushmen drawings and paintings in the river gorges. During the 1700s and 1800s, tribal wars in southern Africa decimated many tribes. Survivors of the wars fled into the highlands of what is now Lesotho and, under the leadership of an African chief named Moshoeshoe, formed the current Basotho ethnic group. Moshoeshoe established fortresses in the mountains and consolidated the Sotho-speaking inhabitants into a nation in the early 1800s. During the middle of the 1800s, the Basotho nation lost much of its territory to the Boers in a series of wars. Moshoeshoe appealed to Great Britain for protection and the remaining area became a British protectorate. In 1966 the nation gained independence and the constitutional monarchy of Lesotho was established. Moshoeshoe II, great-grandson of Moshoeshoe I, was installed as king and head of state, and Leabua Jonathan served as prime minister and head of government. Although Lesotho has undergone politic strife and change during the past thirty years, the Basotho are bonded by a deep reverence for the royal family and a fierce determination to remain an independent nation.

National Identity: Lesotho is a very homogenous nation, both in terms of the ethnic makeup of its population as well as religion and culture. Lesotho's strong cultural identity does not translate into a strong national identity, however, since its location deep in the heart of South Africa has historically forced the small country into dependence on its much larger neighbor.

Ethnic Relations: The Sotho ethnic group comprises almost 100 percent of Lesotho's population. The homogeneous makeup of the country has allowed Lesotho to avoid much of the civil unrest that has plagued other African nations with more ethnically diverse populations.

Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space:



Over 80 percent of the population live in the lowlands where soil conditions are more favorable for agriculture. The western border of Lesotho has one of the highest population densities in Africa. Maseru (ma-SAY-roo), population of 400,000, is the capital city, located in this western border area. Political strife in 1998 resulted in a frenzy of looting and burning which destroyed the main thoroughfare and infrastructure of Maseru. Although much rebuilding has occurred, many historical buildings were lost. Other semi-urban areas are called "camptowns" and are very rustic in appearance. The main camptowns are Teyateyaneng, population twenty-four thousand; Leribe, population three-hundred thousand; Mafeteng, population 212,000; Mohale's Hoek, population 184,000. Most Basotho live in villages of fewer than 250 people.

The cattle pen ( krall ) is the nucleus of family groups who build their huts in a spaced fashion around the pen. Traditional huts are constructed of mud and dung walls with thatched roofs. These round houses ( rondovals ) are often decorated with bright designs. Each village has a meeting place ( khotla ) where business is conducted. The areas around the villages are owned in common by the people and the land is assigned by the chief for family farming.

Food and Economy:


Food in Daily Life: A three-stone fireplace in the courtyard is the focal point of the Basotho women's daily activity. Here they prepare the pot of cornmeal porridge ( pap-pap ) which is the staple of the Basotho. Usually a sauce of peas, chopped greens, or other vegetables accompanies the thick porridge, and on special occasions a chicken is added to the pot. During the summer season, local peaches, and small, hard fruits add variety to the diet. In the winter, family members sit around the three-stone fireplace and roast ears of dried corn.

A local beer ( joale ) is brewed in a large vat placed on the three-stone fireplace. This beer is the center of informal neighborhood gatherings and provides a small income for the family. Milk is often served as a soured drink.

Maseru has a number of modern restaurants that are mostly patronized by business and professional people and tourists.

Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions: In the villages, cultural rites are predominately centered around the sacrifice of a cow. Funerals often drain a poor family's assets as a cow must be purchased at great expense. A family's honor is dependent on the quality and quantity of food at wedding and funeral gatherings—spit-roasted cow and chicken are mandatory.

Basic Economy: Lesotho is a developing country with a free-market economy. It boasts few natural resources and is dependent on imported food and materials to meet the basic needs of the population. Nearly all families engage in subsistence farming, consisting mostly of corn, wheat, peas, and beans, but the depleted soil does not yield sufficient crops to feed them. Lesotho's economy is fragile, even with the benefits it derives from South Africa which include a partially shared customs union, a single currency (the South African rand is used interchangeably with the Lesotho loti ), and an integrated communications system. A major sustaining factor in the country's economy is employment found in South African mines, farms, and industries. Approximately 35 percent of active male wage earners work most of the year in surrounding South Africa, resulting in family income but having a detrimental effect on family life. In the United Nations Development Program's ranking of countries of the world in 2000, which considers the factors of life expectancy, income, education, and health care, Lesotho ranked 127th out of 174 countries.

Land Tenure and Property: All land is held in trust for the Basotho nation by the king and may not be alienated. The local chiefs allocate farmland to individuals, and user rights are generally available to married males. A 1979 act increases security of tenure by recording rights of inheritance and allowing mortgaging and subletting of land.

Commercial Activities: Lesotho's abundance of cattle, sheep, and goats provides a basis for a wool and mohair industry. Although there are no other large industries, small industries and businesses are supported by national and foreign assistance and are having some success. Perhaps the most promising, although highly controversial, effort to improve the economy is the Highlands Water Project which is designed to utilize the nation's valuable resource of water to provide electricity, employment, and economic development for the general population. The project involves the construction of a series of six dams and hundreds of miles of tunnels to funnel water into the arid industrial areas of nearby South Africa, for which Lesotho will receive monetary compensation. The controversy arising from the project revolves around the detrimental effect of the relocation of area communities, the delayed compensation for the loss of ancestral lands,

and the social problems associated with large construction sites.

Major Industries: Lesotho has a wide variety of light industries, which include tire retreading, tapestry weaving, diamond processing, and production of textiles, electric lighting, candles, ceramics, explosives, furniture, and fertilizers.

Trade: Lesotho has trade relations with South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, North America, and Europe. Imported items are primarily corn, clothing, building materials, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, and medicines. Exports include clothing, furniture, footwear, and wool products.

Social Stratification:


Symbols of Social Stratification: Cattle represent wealth in Lesotho and the Basotho value cows above money. The wealthy villager usually lives in a concrete block house with a metal roof instead of a rondoval, and usually has two outdoor bathrooms as opposed to the single outhouse other families possess and often share. The very wealthy send their children to private schools and often to the one university in Lesotho at Roma, or to England or Canada for further education. In the villages, an automobile is an unusual and significant symbol of upper social status.

Government: The government of Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with the capital in Maseru. The country is divided into ten administrative districts. The legal system is based on English common law and Roman Dutch law. The executive branch has a king as chief of state and since 1996 King Letsie III has filled this position. The legislative branch is composed of a bicameral parliament with a senate appointed by the ruling party and an assembly chosen by popular vote. The judicial branch is the high court, with a chief justice appointed by the monarch. The monarchy is hereditary and is a living symbol of national unity with no executive legislative powers. In January 1993 Lesotho became a democracy. The constitution was adopted on 2 April 1993.

Leadership and Political Officials: There are three major political parties: The Basotho National Party (BNP), the Basotho Congress Party (BCP), and the Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP). The BNP was the major force behind Lesotho's drive for independence and became the government's ruling party following independence in 1966. The BNP maintained control of the government by suspending elections and the constitution in 1970 and remained

in power with strong military backing until multiparty elections finally became a reality in 1993. The BCP, the major opposition party, is more Pan-Africanist than the BNP, and assumed power following the 1993 elections. The MFP was formed in 1965 by the merger of two parties that had supported the chieftaincy.

Social Problems and Controls: Traditional authority is the basis of village government. The system of chieftaincy follows the progression of paramount chief (the king), senior chiefs, sub-chiefs, headmen and sub-headmen. Their primary role is the authority to distribute the land of the nation to the people. Many political affiliations are passed down through the chain, with entire villages voting in accord during an election. Village crimes of a minor nature are judged in the village court, often a grassy area under a tree. Local groups mete out the punishments that are handed down. Serious crimes of theft or murder are removed from the village to the regional and national courts and institutions of imprisonment.

Military Activity: The Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and the Lesotho Mounted Police comprise the nation's security forces. These two factions have developed an antagonistic relationship since 1997 when the army was called upon to put down a serious police mutiny.

Social Welfare and Change Programs:

Lesotho has received economic and social welfare aid from a number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Germany. The escalating crisis of HIV/AIDS has mobilized assistance from a variety of sources including UNAIDS/WHO. The United States Peace Corps has been active in Lesotho since 1966. The volunteers are involved in working in the fields of agriculture, education, rural development, women's issues, and the environment. In 2000, specially trained volunteers were enlisted to address the HIV/AIDS issue in this and other African nations.

Gender Roles and Statuses:


Division of Labor by Gender: Most of the agriculture and home building is done by the women. They hoe, plant, and weed, and harvest the crops. They walk great distances to obtain firewood and carry the load home on their backs, often with an infant wedged between the tree branches. Water must be carried from the village pump for cooking, drinking,

washing, and laundry. Clothing is scrubbed and hung on bushes to dry.

Men are primarily responsible for the livestock. Boys begin training for herding at age five or six. In the highlands, where pasture is scarce, herdboys often spend months alone with their flocks in a mountain valley some distance from their home. Girls similarly begin life-role training as soon as they are able to carry a sibling on their back and a pail of water on their head.

The Relative Status of Women and Men: As in most African countries, a female has no power, authority, right, or privilege, unless it is granted by a male. A wife is the property of her husband. However, women play a powerful role through their religious organizations and societies and have attained suffrage.

Marriage, Family, and Kinship:


Marriage: Lesotho is a blend of past and present, traditional and modern beliefs and practices. While church ceremonies are customary for weddings, the practice of extracting brideswealth from the man's family continues, making a family of daughters a lucrative situation. In turn, the bride becomes the property of the man, and leaves her family to live with the family of her husband.

Domestic Unit: The domestic unit consists of any number of the extended family. Often second or third cousins become "brothers" or "sisters." Grandmothers become official mothers. By tribal custom, widows become a wife of the brother or other male member of her deceased husband's family.

Kin Groups: The clans of the Sotho are often named for animals such as crocodiles and bears. The line of descendants is through the male, and members of the same clan are allowed to marry relatives as close as cousins.

Socialization:

Infant Care: Compared to western standards, infant care in Lesotho is casual. The infant and young child spend much of their first two years bound to their mother's backs as she performs her household chores, hoes the fields, and markets or travels. Babies usually nurse for up to two years of age or until a new baby is born. At that time, an older sister usually assumes the caretaker role.

Child Rearing and Education: "It takes a village to raise a child" is a well-known and accurate description of African practices. Every village woman is eligible to correct an erring child, to rescue one in difficulty, and to encourage all. When a child is able to begin school (age varies from five to ten years) the mandatory school dress or shirt is passed from one family to another. Many boys do not attend school for years because they begin at age five or six to herd and care for the livestock.

Higher Education: There are two major institutions of higher learning in Lesotho: the National University of Lesotho and the Lesotho Agricultural College. A very small percentage of the population reaches this level of education. Very wealthy families send their children to higher education in England.

Religion:


Religious Beliefs: Religion in Lesotho is a mix of traditionally based ancestor worship and Christianity (about 80 percent), with a small representation of Islam. The main church groups are Catholic, Anglican, and Dutch Reformed. The dominance of the Catholic religion reflects the church's involvement in education, with over 75 percent of all primary and secondary schools being owned and managed by Catholics. Many church services include traditional Lesotho rituals such as chanting, drumming, and cultural costumes.

Medicine and Health Care:

Lesotho is essentially a healthy country. A good climate eliminates the widespread African problem of malaria. The primary diseases are chronic rheumatism, respiratory tract infections, malnutrition, and venereal diseases in addition to an escalating number of HIV/AIDS cases. Health centers, mountain dispensaries, and traditional medical practitioners are available and primarily used by the village population.

Secular Celebrations:

The two days which all of Lesotho celebrates are Moshoeshoe's Day (12 March) and Independence Day (4 October). Moshoeshoe's Day is for the nation's school children, who prepare throughout the year for choir and sports competitions. Independence Day is a time for formal state ceremonies, speeches, and traditional dance group performances.

The Arts and Humanities:


Literature: Sotho literature is dominated qby folktales and praise poems. Early in the 1900s a Masotho named Thomas Mofolo wrote the famous and widely read novel Chaka .

Performance Arts: Traditional music, dance, and literature combine in Sotho cultural performances. Storytellers, dancers, and musicians join with audience chanting, clapping, and singing to retell ancient folktales. The involvement with mining has produced a unique tradition of singing and dancing males, with high-kicking group dances. Many handmade instruments include whistles, drums, rattles, and stringed instruments.


41 comments:

  1. Although it may be a little confusing at first, determining what types of foods to include in your diabetes meal plan doesn't have to be complicated. Once you understand the types of foods you should be eating or what to avoid when it comes to choosing diabetic foods, you simply have to look for those specific food selections. In general, if you can find foods that are low in fat and don't have excess sugar, you are on the right track to eating healthy diabetic foods. what chinese food is safe for diabetics

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. frozen food exporters

    ReplyDelete
  3. Web based Marriage Counseling; Family Counseling; Married couple Counseling; Individual Marriage Counseling; and Group Marriage Counseling.tips for a good marriage

    ReplyDelete
  4. Be prepared to take 100% responsibility for taking your marriage where you want it to go. Pour your love into your marriage. Disadvantages of Love Marriages

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am impressed by the information that you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. World Market Link

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there! Nice post! Please tell us when I will see a follow up! singapore vivocity food

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information. https://foodpointpoints-website.yolasite.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm amped up for such subjects so I will address page where it is cool depicted. dark0de market link

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really respect this hair-raising post that you have obliged us. I ensure this would be key for by a wide edge a goliath piece of people. dark0de market url

    ReplyDelete
  10. I all considered need to uncover to you that I am new to weblog and place of truth remained mindful of this blog website page. Conceivable I'm going to bookmark your blog . You by a wide edge have shocking stories. Roots for changing with us your blog. dark0de market url

    ReplyDelete
  11. Today, the calling of art treatment has acquired significance in medical services offices all through the United States and inside psychiatry, brain research, directing, training, and the arts.pintor zaragoza

    ReplyDelete
  12. Creature and bird art shows up in probably the soonest known instances of artistic creation, for example, cave compositions and rock artpintor zaragoza

    ReplyDelete
  13. A decent blog dependably concocts new and energizing data and keeping in mind that understanding I have feel that this blog is truly have each one of those quality that qualify a blog to be a one. Oppo Find X2 Neo Price

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like paying attention to live radio while driving. The jabber of a meeting was underway, as I looked at the dashboard clock. It was blazing 3:42 pm. The vehicle was warm however not hot - agreeable - without the cooling blowing in my face. It was one of those uncommon charming toward home bound drives toward the finish of the normal working day. One time only, I could possibly make it home without my back and neck in a tangle from strain. Our daily Manna ONLINE

    ReplyDelete
  15. I personally use him or her solely high-quality factors: you will observe these folks when it is in: KAWS TOGETHER – BLACK

    ReplyDelete
  16. The orchestrated beats combined with light movements give the genuine excellence to hip twirl music. The shining throb of the hips alongside the effortless development of all aspects of the body alongside the hypnotizing music makes a mind-boggling sight. This music consistently gets components from Middle Eastern Music. This type has gone through huge spontaneous creation because of the presentation of various instruments, with every one having its own claim to fame. buy twitch subscribers

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for sharing this is a fantastic article. Really thank you! Awesome.
    price of food at tampines mall

    ReplyDelete
  18. You may have a fundamental clinical issue like a thyroid issue and accordingly require clinical treatment. Men can be impacted in this way as well. Indian wedding captions

    ReplyDelete
  19. Major Thanks for the post. Really thank you! Really Great.
    best jurong point food

    ReplyDelete
  20. At Strength By Spirit , we offer a great collection of Christian wall art, modern style with powerful messages of faith. Encouraging words, sayings, and quotes from the Bible. Let God be your daily encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looking forward to reading more. Great article. Thanks Again. Really Cool.
    singapore great world city food

    ReplyDelete
  22. Summer hijabs are a perfect way to stay cool this summer. Scarves are light, breathable and come in many gorgeous colours and designs, whilst still maintaining the modest requirements of the clothing - without appearing drab.  Logically India

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looking forward to reading more. Great post. Much thanks again. Cool.
    jurong east food

    ReplyDelete
  24. faith Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I appreciate you sharing this blog article. Really thank you! Really Great.order online food in orchard

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the cool informative post. Keep up the great work :)
    suntec city food

    ReplyDelete
  27. I value the article. Really thank you! Much obliged.
    singapore suntec city food

    ReplyDelete
  28. A hochzeits webseite , whether it is your first or fifth, can be the best, and the most stressful, experience of your life. Except, of course, if you choose to tie the knot at sea. When getting married on a cruise ship, you'll have a host of professionals trained to accommodate your every need during your cruise wedding. From cakes to tuxedos, accommodations to the reception hall, you won't have to go off-board for anything. Unless of course you choose to have your reception on shore. In which case, the amenities come to you.

    ReplyDelete
  29. There are no "ways", or "customs", or "jobs" or layers of family members by which one might characterize the importance and meaning of the association of these two individuals. wedding venues

    ReplyDelete
  30. This form of art is said to be a form that has been produced in the present period in time. Portrait malen lassen

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Consequently, while picking the "right" lawyer for your case you want to feel 100 percent agreeable while conversing with that lawyer and feel positive about their capacities.
    https://www.frouharlaw.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thankyou just for writing an exceptionally worthwhile page, Lake developed onto your web page apart from know certain write-up. I will be interested appearance with writing... acim

    ReplyDelete
  34. You possess insert a major kids.. Blesss just for making a request.. Lake will want to overview first-class most current requirements utilizing this type of web page.. always keep making.. mpo slot

    ReplyDelete
  35. It really is pleasurable, nonetheless it's important which you drop by this phenomenal internet site: Glass Bottle For Mouthwash

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am able to advocate generally quality and in some cases in charge points, subsequently notice it: Unblocked

    ReplyDelete
  37. Prefer web-sites are necessary just because supply a sizeable number something related to efficient particulars... SEO Backlinks

    ReplyDelete
  38. I prefer rigorously awesome options -- you'll see many with the help of: SEO Backlinks

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oahu is the identical beneficial and in addition helpful printed and see what precisely many individuals examine many individuals.

    ReplyDelete