Info For You Lot Basotho People: Bantu People Amongst Unique Cultural Heritage
The Basotho people also known as Sotho, are Bantu people of the Kingdom of Kingdom of Lesotho (lusō'tō), an enclave inside the Republic of South Africa. Maseru is the working capital missive of the alphabet in addition to largest city. There are x administrative districts. Kingdom of Lesotho is ofttimes referred to as "the roof of Africa," its a beautiful country.
Basotho people
The Basotho land emerged from the accomplished diplomacy of Moshoeshoe 1st, who gathered together disparate clans of Sotho-Tswana beginning whom had dispersed across southern Africa inward the early on nineteenth century. Even so, the bulk of Sotho people today live inward South Africa, as they receive got done for centuries.
Basotho women. Guests at the wedding. All dressed inward what are modernised versions of the traditional Basotho clothes (Seshoeshoe).
Mythological/folkloric origins
Ntsoana-Tsatsi is believed to live the seat of beginning of the Sotho/Basotho people. It is both a mythical and
physical place. The mythical aspect of it, as described yesteryear Ellenberger (1988) is a seat from where the get-go Sotho people emerged.
Basotho people
They are believed to receive got come upwardly from the ground at Ntsoana-Tsatsi, where in that location is a lot of H2O in addition to reeds. The geographical location of this seat is believed to live Vrede inward the Free State Province of South Africa, according to accounts yesteryear informants. It silent carries this call in addition to some Sotho people are silent found inward the area.
Basotho Lebolle initiate girl
History
Pastoralist Bantu speaking people settled inward South Africa inward almost 200–500 CE. Originating inward the vicinity of West in addition to Central Africa, waves of Iron Age immigrants spread across the broad Southern African peninsula, easily displacing the aboriginal Stone Age inhabitants of South Africa. By the 19th century, stable patterns of settlement had emerged. Nguni speaking tribes (primarily Zulu in addition to Xhosa) occupied the eastward in addition to southern coastal regions, piece a serial of Sotho kingdoms covered the southern portion of the plateau (Free
As far dorsum as 1780,Diginswayo main of Umtetwa , engaged inward scheme of subjugating all the independent peoples of the surrounding province on the eastward of Drakensberg in addition to uniting them nether his sole potency (Ellensberger 1912,117). In this way he succeeded inward defeating Amakwadini in addition to other people including Amazulu of Senzangakhona. When he died the famous King Shaba took over in addition to fought all the tribes from Delagoa bay to Umzimkulu during the early on decade of nineteenth century.
Basotho woman someone initiate coming home
In his attacks Shaka overpowered in addition to subjugated every tribe without regard for historic time period or sex. The tribes fled in addition to threw themselves inward turn on tribes weaker than themselves. Among these was Zwide who slew Diginswayo, Shaka attacked Amangwane who lived on the eastern slopes of Drakensberg. These inward turn attacked Amahlubi. The Amahlubi cruel upon Batlokwa of Mmantstisi, a widow acting as main for her boy Sekonyela. The latter fled westward. The communities attacked yesteryear Amangwane,Amahlubi in addition to Mmantatisi were uprooted, in addition to these consequently uprooted others with the termination that every inhabitant of what is at nowadays Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to the Free State were caught inward a struggle for survival. Sanders (1975:29)describe the province of affairs yesteryear saying:
Warfare was no longer yesteryear cattle raiding inward the fields yesteryear little grouping of enterprise warriors\,
but invasion yesteryear starving hordes which swept into villages,killing indiscriminately, setting fire
to the huts in addition to seizing both stock in addition to grain. Many fled from the expanse completely,most of
them taking refuge inward the Cape colony. Others survived yesteryear hunting in addition to gathering,and became
known as "Makaota" important "The Lean Ones." Others,more wretched in addition to degraded still'
turned to horrors of cannibalism, but thousands must receive got died of starvation in addition to thousand
to a greater extent than were killed inward battles."
This hamlet organisation may receive got enabled the Sotho villagers to defend themselves to a greater extent than effectively than they could receive got with dispersed households, in addition to it in all likelihood facilitated command over community headmen in addition to subjects yesteryear the main in addition to his family.
Basotho medicine man
Basotho passage of rites
Sotho villages were also organized into age-sets, or groups of men or women who were unopen inward age. Each age-set had specific responsibilities e.g. men organized for warfare in addition to herding. An entire age-set to a greater extent than ofttimes than non graduated from ane chore to the next, in addition to the hamlet ofttimes celebrated this alter with a serial of rituals and, inward some cases, an initiation ceremony.
Basotho man child inititiates.Boys from circumcision “lodge.” The ochred domestic dog inward the foreground serves as a reminder that the uncircumcised are similar dogs. Boys are thought to receive got invisible tails earlier they are initiated. Dogs, similar boys, also undergo a “circumcision.” In their case, a flake of flesh is excised from below their tongues. Neither boys nor dogs are expected to mature if they rest uncircumcised. The boys are wrapped inward blankets which symbolize in addition to consequence their social transition from boyhood to manhood. One initiate sports a neat number of the security pins which are used to pivot the boys’ symbolic blanket-wear together. Another initiate wears a mirror, a mutual adornment for “graduates”of a circumcision lodge. Circumcision rites are anathema to missionaries who claim that the boys are treated with medicines containing human flesh (obtained through “ritual” or “medicine” murder).
In the yesteryear initiations into adulthood were elaborate ceremonies lasting a few months, inward which girls in addition to boys were taken separately to the bush inward the winter. The boys were circumcised. Increasingly, funerals receive got acquire the most elaborate life-cycle rituals.
Basotho man child initiates
The exercise of the initiation ceremony for boys that are deemed to live ready to live immature men is silent an integral component subdivision of rural Basotho culture.
Basotho manly someone initiates
Among the Basotho, traditional initiation (Lebollo) has 3 meanings, which grade achange in addition to a passage to maturity. The get-go important refers to the tapering-off of the umbilical cord from a newly born babe (ngoana o bolotse) that also signifies the terminate of menses for its mother. The umbilical cord is discarded yesteryear burying it. This signifies a bond a kid has with the soil of its origin. This explains the anger people receive got should they live removed from their birthplace. Shaving the baby’s head, smearing the flooring with mud in addition to slaughtering a sheep for thanksgiving in addition to welcome of the babe into the household unit of measurement celebrate Lebollo. When the babe is shown
a live sheep, Basotho would say, ‘our kid nosotros welcome yous into the family. This is your sheep, pick out it’. The sheep would in addition to then live slaughtered in addition to all those women who brought showering gifts in addition to other services for giving nascency would live invited for merry-making. It is after this celebration that a babe would live given a name.
Basotho manly someone initiates:Basotho "coming of age" preparation for boys is conducted yesteryear sending groups of boys to clandestine locations inward the mountains with a few "leaders"
As a patriarchal society where traditionally women are expected to honour men at all times in addition to men are the primary if non sole conclusion makers, it makes feel that the locations of the schools as good as the things learned, discussed in addition to performed at these schools would live kept from the one-half of the population non able to attend.
For the time period od 3 months or more, they don't bathe. They article of apparel only a carmine diaper similar bottom in addition to a blanket. They don't article of apparel shoes in addition to they cover themselves with a carmine dyed mud that is supposed to go out their peel healthier than it has ever been.
The 2nd important of initiation refers to circumcision at the modern infirmary when a man child kid or a adult man goes for genital performance that removes the foreskin at the hospital. Among the Basotho people volition ever say ‘o bolotse’, important that he has been circumcised. There are no ceremonial rituals to grade this type of
procedure since it is non regarded as having anything sacred almost it. However, those who receive got gone through it silent experience that it should live treated secretly as though it is the same as the ‘bush’ schoolhouse circumcision. Because of their rigorous training. Basotho manly someone initiates are real particular almost their initiation preparation in addition to would experience real offended if his manly someone parent could only go inward his room piece he was non properly dressed. Those who receive got attended the ‘bush training’ do non regard those circumcised at the infirmary as truthful initiates. There are silent animosities betwixt the initiates in addition to them.
Basotho man child initiates.The circumcised boys sing “praise poems”. Some poems onslaught a Christian women’s grouping whose members are thought to live notorious witches who kill initiates.
The 3rd important of Lebollo refers to a rite of passage into adulthood of both adolescent boys in addition to girls. It is this type of Lebollo that presents challenges to the rural communities inward Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to South Africa. Due to the confidentiality in addition to utmost secrecy of the process, the give-and-take volition non live so much on what is happening during initiation, but what both the graduates from the traditional initiation schools in addition to those who receive got never attended as good as the society at large, view as existence the problems in addition to prospects. The initiates
cannot tell the clandestine (koma) but were willing to say what happened. This Koma (secrecy) remains a mystery to outsiders.
Basotho boys initiates
Male initiation is to a greater extent than pop than woman someone one. Big celebrations are held at the terminate of the physical care for at the initiates’ respective homes. Boys go to the mountains in addition to pass many weeks in that location to live taught almost their ancestors, culture, history in addition to of import events, behavior, hard-ships, respect, accountability, household unit of measurement issues, solving household unit of measurement conflicts in addition to diseases.
Boys coming out of initiation school
Initiation schoolhouse secrets are taught in addition to discussed as older wiser men deed as mentors to the younger generation so as to proceed this tradition. These immature men dressed inward traditional Basotho attire, receive got made themselves famous for the beautiful, distinct songs that they sing when they render from the mountains. They are expected to live ambassadors who are proud of their heritage.
Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Girls from initiation performing fertility rites. The girls’ veils are burned when the rites come upwardly to an end. The girls’ breasts are wrapped inward thick grass ropes (concealed yesteryear blankets ).
.For women it is non such a large occasion except amid the Matebele clan. With the coming of Western civilisation Lebollo got pushed aside as an educational institution. Its richness got sacrificed in addition to substituted.
Basotho girls initiates
Girls from initiation. They take hold reeds symbolizing the belief that the Basotho had their genesis inward a reed bed. They article of apparel cowskin skirts because the cow, which was at the ground of their traditional culture, is “the Basotho’s mother”.
Basotho initiated girls
The inflated gall bladder (in the pilus ) is for goodness luck. The beast fatty about their necks comes from the reproductive organs of the stock which has been sacrificed for their initiation. It enhances their fertility.However, currently the style seems to receive got changed. More boys are over again leaving schoolhouse in addition to joining Lebollo.
Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Initiated girls eating. This is during a phase of their initiation when they go almost smeared with white clay.
Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Touring the countryside after the rites receive got come upwardly to an end.
Seated initiates inward circular formation with their feet coming together inward the center, initiation pigment visible on their legs
Basotho immature adult woman initiates. Girls from initiation performing fertility rites. The girls’ veils are burned when the rites come upwardly to an end. The girls’ breasts are wrapped inward thick grass ropes (concealed yesteryear blankets ).
Religion
The Supreme Being that the Sotho people believe inward is most commonly referred to as Modimo. Modimo is approached through the spirits of one's ancestors, the balimo, who are honored at ritual feasts. Theologian Klaus Nürnberger (1975) contends the God of the Sotho people did non communicate with them inward whatever way or require of them whatever activeness or acknowledgement of his existence.
He is believed to live both inward a higher seat in addition to below the earth. Their God is non acknowledged inward their religious activities through either prayer or sacrifice, something which also agency that in that location are no religious practitioners who serve as instruments of contact
between God in addition to the Sotho people (Nürnberger 1975). However, Sotho people receive got beliefs in addition to practices that admit other deities known as ancestral spirits. Ancestral spirits are spirits of Sotho men who receive got died. Each spirit is remembered in addition to acknowledged yesteryear the household unit of measurement members as senior inward rank, to live recognized as an ancestor, through ritual in addition to exercise (Nürnberger 1975). Each community had its traditional herbalist healers called Ngaka inward Sesotho. They functioned as shamans, spiritual counselors in addition to protectors against evil spirits in addition to magic.
The ancestral spirit has the might to touching on the lives of his household unit of measurement inward either a negative or positive way depending on their acknowledgement of him through ritual in addition to practice. It is, as Nürnberger (1975: 177) puts it, the responsibleness of the household unit of measurement to perform sacrifices in addition to the pouring of traditional beer as a agency of acknowledging in addition to recognizing the ancestor in addition to their superior. These acts serve to appease the ancestor so that he volition non deed against them yesteryear causing problems for them such as drought with others, the ancestor volition instead bless the household unit of measurement in addition to maintain them from harm (Nürnberger 1975). He points out, in addition to I agree, that ancestral spirits rely on their descendants for survival because they are only remembered if in that location are
people live to admit their presence through ritual (Nürnberger 1975: 177).
In cases where sick fate has befallen the family, diviners or traditional doctors serve as a link betwixt them in addition to their ancestors to uncovering the motion of such problems. The diviner volition in addition to then offering instructions, from the ancestral spirits, on how to proceed to restore that which was lost.
People contact their ancestor through diviners for diverse reasons; it tin can live to acknowledge, seek blessings, in addition to give cheers in addition to so on. According to Bishop of the Catholic Church of Johannesburg, Buti Thlagale (2006: 2) ancestral spirits were praised in addition to celebrated communally in addition to played the role of regulating morality in addition to protecting their descendants. The real nature of Sotho beliefs in addition to religion is what made it slow for the transition to Christianity yesteryear many at its introduction inward the nineteenth century, at the arrival of the French
missionaries inward Kingdom of Lesotho (de Clark 2000). King Moshoeshoe welcomed the missionaries, he in addition to his people learnt almost Christianity from them in addition to many were converted in addition to became church building members. “… Casalis, Gosselin in addition to Arbousset founded the mission which was to acquire the pride of their society, …” (de Clark 2000: 5). The introduction of Christianity brought immense alter to the Sotho society. The role of the diviner was taken over yesteryear the priest or pastor with the recognition of God as to a greater extent than than a distant deity, but a God who involves himself inward their lives in addition to they interact daily with him. They also began to interact with God in addition to to admit him through church building attendance in addition to prayer with other actions. The introduction of Jesus Christ as both adult man in addition to God was non hard for the Sotho to comprehend as the ancestral spirits receive got a similar role; thence the transition was non overly challenging (Quinlan 1988).
Marriage
In Sotho tradition, the adult man is considered the caput of the household. Women are defined as farmers in addition to bearers of children. Polygymous marriages (more than ane wife) are non uncommon amid the elite, but they are rare amid commoners.
The bride in addition to groom. The to a greater extent than modern component subdivision of the wedding ceremony ceremony had already taken seat inward Washington DC finally yr (the groom is from there). This was the African celebration of what tin can sometimes live a 2 yr long marital process. She is dressed inward a Basotho beast peel in addition to he has mixed his outfit into a Seswati outfit with a Basotho blanket.
Basotho couples
Marriages are arranged yesteryear transfer of bohadi (bride wealth) from the household unit of measurement of the groom to the household unit of measurement of the bride. In Sotho, the words for manly someone parent (ntate) in addition to woman parent (mme) are used commonly as address forms of honour for one's elders. The full general mental attitude toward childhood is good summarized yesteryear the saying Lefura la ngwana ke ho rungwa, which roughly translates as "Children do goodness from serving their elders."
Litsoejane - Girls Initiation Schoo
Music
At the pump of the Basotho tradition in addition to civilization is music in addition to dance. They receive got ever been an inextricable component subdivision of Basotho life. Countless rituals in addition to social activities are accompanied yesteryear song, trip the low-cal fantastic toe in addition to ululation.
Basotho Dancers
The 3 dances; the mohobelo, litolobonya, in addition to the mokhibo are performed regularly. On special occasions, to honour their chief, the men performed the mohobelo. The Basotho, similar their fellows the Zulus, the Xhosa in addition to Tswana, love to sing! The African Spirituals of the deep South, in addition to the natural harmonies of the African inward his ain habitat, percentage a bond, indicating a mutual heritage intensified yesteryear the deep felt religious convictions of the African folk at heart.
Basotho men stick Dance
They sing of their honoured founder, Moshoeshoe; they sing well-loved hymns from their broad repertoire, they sing inward English linguistic communication in addition to inward Latin, as good as inward their sis languages, Tswana in addition to Xhosa in addition to of course of instruction inward their ain Kingdom of Lesotho tongue.
litolobonya Dance
Basotho Hat-Mokoroklo
The distinctive shape of traditional Basotho hats are thought to live based on the shape of a mountain, Thaba Tseka, visible from the working capital missive of the alphabet of the landlocked nation.
It is such a vital symbol of Basotho identity that is has been incorporated inward silhouette into the national flag. This chapeau is an older example, finely crafted inward the fourth dimension worn tradition. It is somewhat warped from historic time period but far from detracting it adds to it's curvilinear appeal inviting the viewer to view it from all angles.
Basotho man
Basotho Food
The Basotho people historically lived inward a broad expanse that encompasses much of South Africa's Free State province in addition to also the independent kingdom of Lesotho. Urbanisation in addition to migrant labour receive got ensured that yous volition at nowadays ofttimes listen the Sotho linguistic communication spoken inward Gauteng. In its traditional heartland Basotho cooking reflects the agricultural in addition to culinary demands of mutual frigidity winters in addition to mountainous terrain. There is a civilization of vegetable preservation in addition to many Basotho dishes are infused yesteryear the intense flavours of Sun dried vegetables known as mangangajane.
BaSotho lady cooking vetkoek
There is a Basotho nutrient preference for a fermented flavour which is a gustation that tin can live confusing in addition to disconcerting for the uninitiated palate but is good worth acquiring. Sorghum, millet in addition to maize are ground, made into a polenta-like porridge dish which when fermented. This porridge has a yoghurt-like flavour in addition to is known as ting. Steamed dumplings made with fermented maize repast are known as leqebekoane in addition to are commonly added to stews.
Meat is luxury item but Basotho celebrations are commonly accompanied yesteryear braised oxtail which is traditionally served with dumplings, morogo-dried vegetable melanges in addition to beetroot salad. Herd boys watching sheep in addition to cattle grab wild game in addition to rabbits to sustain themselves during their long mount sojourns.
Those wishing to gustation Basotho cooking inward Pretoria should essay Kwazi which makes a heavenly ting or Janicky's Place inward Atteridgeville township which has moatwana chicken pes stew in addition to mqombothi beer. In Bloemfontein essay Buck Molakedi's Bush Pub for sechu sa khoho chicken stew. It all goes good with beer in addition to goodness fellowship which are ever on the menu. When inward Ladybrand Alida Bikane Catering in addition to Tavern inward Manyatseng township offers a delicious introduction to Basotho hospitality
King Moshoeshoe I of Lesotho, "Africa's greatest leader"
He stood upwardly against the Zulu, gained several battles against the European invaders in addition to managed to create a Basotho province that escaped incorporation inward racist South Africa. Lesotho's get-go king, Moshoeshoe I, is ofttimes called "Africa's greatest leader" inward the early on 19th century.
In midst of forcefulness out stood the Basotho people. Loosely organised inward chieftaincies in addition to committed to agriculture in addition to herding, the Basotho had few traditions of warship in addition to centralised power. Now, their lands became flooded yesteryear refugees from the Zulu expansion, in addition to a Zulu onslaught seemed imminent.
King Moshoeshoe I inward a portrait made yesteryear Eugène Casalis inward 1833
In such a pressured situation, the Basotho were luckier than many of their neighbor peoples, that were easily subdued yesteryear the Boer, British, Zulus in addition to peoples taking upwardly Shaka Zulu's ingenious state of war techniques. The Basotho found a leader inward the skillful main Moshoeshoe in addition to a refuge inward the natural fortress of the Maluti Mountains of today's Lesotho.
But who was Moshoeshoe, in addition to how did he care to unite the Basotho in addition to resist the invaders?
He was also known as Moshesh, Mosheshwe or Mshweshwe. His call was allegedly changed from Lepoqo after a successful raid inward which he had sheared the beards of his victims – the word ‘Moshoeshoe’ represented the audio of the shearing. Born almost 1786 as the boy of a little main of the Bamokoteli sub-clan, Moshoeshoe is said to receive got stood out as "very brave" already inward his immature years, thus attracting followers inward these troubled times.
While his youthful bravery may live considered later developed myths to praise a neat leader, it remains to a greater extent than certainly that Moshoeshoe took a leading role inward providing shelter to the many Basotho in addition to other refugees falling victim to the Zulu wars. Contrary to the most powerful Basotho leaders of his youth, living inward the fertile but hard to defend plains of today's Free State (South Africa), Moshoeshoe had settled inward the highlands of today's Lesotho.
Since about 1820, he ruled from Thaba Bosiu, a natural fortress on a large flat-top mount with plentiful access to H2O in addition to pastures, which proved almost impossible to pick out yesteryear attackers. In the lowlands, meanwhile, entire landscapes were burned, plundered in addition to depopulated. Moshoeshoe granted shelter, dry ground in addition to nutrient to Basotho refugees in addition to state of war victims from other peoples.
But also other, to a greater extent than powerful, Sotho chiefs had gathered their people inward mount fortresses. Moshoeshoe's success came through diplomacy in addition to goodness tactics. He was non shy to pay tributes to stronger leaders in addition to inward this way fifty-fifty managed to halt Shaka Zulu's planned onslaught on Thaba Bosiu. The Zulu leader instead attacked other Sotho chiefs. Also, Moshoeshoe wisely kept out of the rivalry betwixt Sotho leaders, whose infighting continuously weakened them in addition to eventually left them opened upwardly to unusual attacks.
In the end, Moshoeshoe provided the safest shelter to the Basotho in addition to other refugees. By at nowadays popularly known as the "Chief of the Mountain", other chiefs rallied behind him in addition to the population of his lands grew rapidly. With every novel refugee in addition to main swearing loyalty, also his wealth grew, as all cattle yesteryear custom were owned yesteryear the chief. These cattle - which thus were the mensurate of wealth could over again live used to feed the people in addition to to live used as payment inward diplomatic advances.
Not many confirmed details of Moshoeshoe's early on life are known. The best sources for this fourth dimension are the books in addition to notes yesteryear Eugène Casalis, a missionary from the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society who was brought to Kingdom of Lesotho yesteryear Moshoeshoe himself inward 1833.
Moshoeshoe had been told almost the benefits missionaries could receive got for other African peoples. He was inward particular interested inward learning almost establishing diplomatic ties with the Europeans, instruction inward European skills, but also access to firearms. Thus, he sent a mission to Cape Town, carrying 100 cattle as a present, seeking contact with European missionaries.
Mr Casalis, who had late arrived the Cape on his society's first-ever missionary mission, gladly took upwardly on the invitation. The French missionary was to play an of import role inward the consolidation of Moshoeshoe's novel kingdom, for a long fourth dimension acting as Lesotho's "foreign minister".
The missionary describes Moshoeshoe as having "an agreeable in addition to interesting countenance, his deportment is noble in addition to dignified, in addition to a benevolent smiling plays upon his lips." According to Mr Casalis, he in addition to his French followers were "greeted with the greatest demonstrations of joy" yesteryear the Basotho when they arrived Moshoeshoe's village.
King Moshoehoe I in addition to his ministers
King Moshoeshoe gave the missionary a brief description of the recent history of the Basotho. Mr Casalis reports:
"At the fourth dimension of Moshesh's [Moshoeshoe's] birth, the province of the Basotho was extremely populous. Disputes arose from fourth dimension to time, but to a greater extent than ofttimes than non footling blood was shed. The dark-green pastures of Butobute, Moshesh's home, in addition to the steep hills where he in addition to his companions hunted, are silent celebrated inward the national songs of the Basotho. At the 2nd when it was to the lowest degree expected, these favourite sports [hunting] were all of a abrupt interrupted yesteryear disastrous invasions from Natal. Desolation was carried into the peaceful valleys of Lesotho, fields remained uncultivated, in addition to the horrors of famine were added to those of war. Moshesh breasted the stream. Being of a real observant disposition, he knew how to resist in addition to how to yield at the right moment; procured himself allies, fifty-fifty amid the invaders of his territory; laid his enemies at variance with each other, in addition to yesteryear diverse acts of kindness secured the honour of those fifty-fifty who had sworn his ruin."
By the mid-1820s, most of the Basotho's most fertile mainlands were ravaged yesteryear war. The Zulus in addition to other groups such as the Ndebele started focusing on the finally Basotho seat of resistance, Moshoeshoe's mount kingdom. But Thaba Bosiu proved an impregnable fortress, in addition to Moshoeshoe proved a superb diplomat. Not only did he care to position ane enemy upwardly against the other, he also managed to acquire sympathy amid his main enemies.
Basotho man
Mr Casalis describes Moshoeshoe's diplomatic skills during ane of the most dramatic attacks on his stronghold, yesteryear the Ndebele main Mzilikazi inward 1831:
"Accustomed to victory, the Zulus advanced inward serried ranks, non appearing to notice the masses of basalt which came rolling downwards with a tremendous dissonance from the top of the mountain. But shortly in that location was a full general compaction - an avalanche of stones in addition to a shower of spears, which sent dorsum the assailants with to a greater extent than rapidity than they had advanced. The chiefs who were seen rallying the fugitives, in addition to snatching away the plumes with which their heads were decorated, in addition to trampling them nether pes inward a rage, led their men over again towards the formidable rampart. But inward vain. The adjacent 24-hour interval the Zulus retired. At the 2nd of their deviation a Mosotho, driving some fatty oxen, stopped earlier the get-go ranks, in addition to gave this message. 'Moshesh salutes you. Supposing that hunger had brought yous into this country, he sends yous these cattle, that yous may swallow them on your way home.' Moshesh was never troubled yesteryear these people again."
Indeed, the Ndebele - an Ngoni grouping fled from the Zulu, taking upwardly their state of war techniques in addition to themselves becoming invaders - gave upwardly whatever endeavour to settle inward this region. They went on a longer trek northwards, inward 1838 attacking the Shona inward modern Republic of Zimbabwe in addition to establishing a kingdom about modern Bulawayo, nowadays called Matabeleland.
Moshoeshoe's success inward halting the powerful Zulu in addition to Ndebele armies is impressive having inward heed that Thaba Bosiu remained a little society. Historians take hold that his followers inward 1833 only counted about 25.000, growing to an estimated 80.000 inward 1848, in addition to that Moshoeshoe did non receive got a standing army. The Basotho joined inward voluntary defensive operations to halt the invaders in addition to were non trained inward attacking the enemy.
Masotho warrior, as captured yesteryear Eugène Casalis inward the 1830s
Having rejected many Zulu attacks, Moshoeshoe shortly was to view an fifty-fifty greater threat, the Boers. These European settlers, seeking liberty from the steadily to a greater extent than organised British colonial potency inward Cape Town, started on their "Great Treck" into the Southern African hinterland inward 1836. They were to occupy all goodness lands from Orange River upwardly to modern Zimbabwe, also the most fertile lands of the Basotho.
The get-go coming together with the Boers was peaceful. Arriving the - yesteryear at nowadays - to a greater extent than sparsely populated Sotho lowlands, the Europeans asked Moshoeshoe for permission to graze piece moving through the landscape. The King gave his approval.
But soon, the numbers of Europeans increased, in addition to some started to settle on Sotho lands. As Moshoeshoe reminded them of the temporary grazing permission given, the Boers, at nowadays stronger through numbers, claimed the lands had been found deserted, giving them the rights to settle freely. Thus, a serial of hostilities broke out.
Moshoeshoe meanwhile had strengthened his seat as the King of the Basotho. The missionaries had brought novel crops in addition to farming methods to Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to also taught the King modern principles of administration. On the state of war machine front, he was able to purchase larger amounts of firearms. Still an first-class diplomat, Moshoeshoe enlarged his skills yesteryear Mr Casalis' knowledge of European diplomacy in addition to languages.
This proved key to success, as Kingdom of Lesotho at several crossroads managed to pick out payoff of the conflict betwixt the Boer settlers in addition to the British Cape Colony. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 British-Basotho border treaty helped Moshoeshoe oust many Boer settlers from his lands. Moshoeshoe had the upper mitt inward the many smaller armed conflicts with the Boers inward the 1840s.
In the 1850s, the Basotho regular army on 3 occasions fifty-fifty defeated troops from the British colonial regime, piece high flush diplomacy saved Kingdom of Lesotho from a greater British attack.
The most challenging serial of conflicts nevertheless started inward 1858, as the Boers of the part had already established the independent Orange Free State on the northern borders of Lesotho. Moshoeshoe managed to defend Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to fifty-fifty raid Boer lands inward the 1858 war.
But inward the 1860s, the Boer province was growing stronger in addition to state of war luck turned. While the Boers never managed to pick out Moshoeshoe's stronghold at Thaba Bosiu, the Basotho manly someone monarch had to inquire the British Empire for assist inward both 1866 in addition to 1868.
During these British-led peace negotiations, Moshoeshoe had to cede Lesotho's most fertile territories - most of the lowlands - to the Orange Free State, in addition to the modern boundaries of Kingdom of Lesotho were shaped. Also, inward 1868, in addition to faced with a Boer annexation, Moshoeshoe asked Queen Victoria for assist in addition to protection, agreeing to his kingdom becoming a British protectorate.
Lesedi cultural middle Lesotho
While this may receive got seemed a capitulation of Lesotho's independence to the British Empire, indeed it secured the kingdom's long-term survival. Moshoeshoe had avoided annexation yesteryear the Boer states, in addition to after he died inward 1870, his successors victoriously continued the fighting against existence annexed yesteryear the arising province of South Africa. Through the lasting institute of a British crown colony, Kingdom of Lesotho did last as an autonomous kingdom in addition to avoided the experience of apartheid. In 1966, the Basotho thus regained their consummate independence.
Among historians, Moshoeshoe is recognised as ane of Africa's greatest leaders of his time, able to react decisively to extremely challenging conditions. Not only is he the nation-builder of the Basotho people, but he managed to protect his people against much stronger enemies in addition to create the institutions needed to consolidate his novel kingdom. Moshoeshoe's wisdom in addition to diplomatic skills secured Lesotho's long-term independence from the emerging strong Boer nation.
Among the Basotho, King Moshoeshoe is almost a mythical figure in addition to a source of lasting pride. His decease is silent commemorated on xi March every year, a national holiday. And his dynasty is silent inward might inward its Maseru palace, at nowadays as a constitutional monarchy real much available to the Basotho people.
Grave of Moshoeshoe inward Thaba Bosiu
Moshoeshoe is buried at his ancient stronghold of Thaba Bosiu, inward a breathtaking mountainous expanse that lets the visitor imagine how the manly someone monarch was able to defend his people against the many enemy armies. The imperial graves today are a pop excursion finish in addition to a goodness starting dot for trekking inward Lesotho's mountains.
Sources: E. Casalis (Les Bassoutos, 1859), D. Denoon & B. Nyeko (Southern Africa since 1800, 1992), R. Oliver & A. Atmore (Africa since 1800, 1981), J. Simensen (Afrikas historie, 1996), amid others.
http://www.afrol.com/features/35246
Basotho adult man wearing an awesome cap of an beast skin
BASOTHO AND INTERPRETATION OF NAMES
Naming inward Sesotho is both a cultural in addition to linguistic phenomenon (Mohome
1972: 171). The important attached to names yesteryear Basotho, plays a important role
in the Definition of "personhood", because it is believed that a given call does
not only serve as an identity but also determines the type of someone the
individual volition be. Names are believed to receive got influence on the graphic symbol of the
bearer. There is a saying that refers to the influence of names on character:
Bitso lebe keseromo (literally, "a bad call is ominous"). Thus the names given
to individuals refer to historical events, experiences, emotions, status relations,
clan in addition to kinship relations, as good as authority. Ashton (1967: 32) has noted that
among Basotho, names are seldom chosen at random in addition to usually recall a
grandfather or other of import relation. Sometimes they commemorate an
important or unusual lawsuit or personage.
Naming a kid after kinsmen serves a religious (Monnig 1967: 338),
political, in addition to social function. Mohome posits that the scheme amid Basotho of
naming children after their paternal or maternal relatives serves to perpetuate the
names of ancestors, in addition to it brings grandparents in addition to grandchildren closer to one
another. Alternate generations of grandparents in addition to grandchildren are linked
together. It is also believed that the kid so-named volition inherit the virtues of his
grandparents. Religiously, to honour ancestral forces for their influence upon the
living, a kid is named after ane of them.
Setiloane (1975: 34) notes that amid Basotho "children are a gift of
badimo" (ancestors). Failure to conceive is attributed primarily to the disfavour
of badimo. Thus a kid who has been born a long time period after the woman parent has
been married is named Mpho (gift), Keneiloe (I receive got been given), and
Kelebogile (I am grateful). This ancestral human relationship is also epitomized yesteryear such
personal names as Oatile or Oagile (the household has been firmly built). And
when an elderly relative has late died in addition to a kid of the same sexual activity is born, it
may live said Oboile mo tseleng (he has returned on the road) in addition to is named
Tebello (expectation). And a kid who has been born after a long time period of
childless union or successive miscarriages, the lawsuit of a salubrious nascency is
celebrated yesteryear names such as Rethabile (Felicity), Lesebo (a gift from ancestors),
Keneuoe (for a girl).
The ideological construction of the role of Malome (Uncle) as a potential
political supporter inward succession disputes amid Basotho-Tswana agnatic
lineages is good documented inward anthropology (cf. Casalis 1861, Junod 1927, Lye
& Murray 1980). Junod observed, "the style of the Sotho scheme seems to
be to lessen the differences existing inward other tribes betwixt the father's family
and the mother's family" (quoted inward Lye & Murray 1980: 116). The father's
relatives in addition to mother's relatives are ofttimes non distinguished inward practice. In order
to foster this affinal human relationship in addition to the obligations associated with it, siblings,
junior sons in addition to daughters may also live named after their maternal kinsmen. It
should live noted, however, that non every agnatic kid is named after the
ancestor, nor is it implied that siblings are yesteryear rule, customarily named after their
maternal kinsmen. Cross-cousin matrilateral marriages are encouraged to further
galvanize the political alliance betwixt unlike agnatic families (Ashton 1967:
32; Lye & Murray 1980: 119). Often an elderberry kid is called yesteryear his/her mother's
marriage call (this is discussed below).
Basotho immature adult woman initiates
Children tin can also live named after a prominent or famous person, or a
neighbour, or after a midwife if the kid is a immature adult woman (Mohome 1972: 172; Ashton
1967). Names of prominent persons include those of erstwhile Basotho chiefs,
names such as Letsie, Seeiso, Bereng, Masopha, in addition to Molapo. These are found
mainly inward the Moshoeshoe household unit of measurement who constitute the chieftaincy of Basotho. For
instance, Masopha, the boy of the manly someone monarch in addition to founder of Basotho nation,
Moshoeshoe, is commonly given to Basotho boys. For Basotho the name
Masopha epitomised a important historical personality, since Moshoeshoe was
a daring in addition to courageous full general commanding the Basotho regular army against land
invasion yesteryear white settlers during the latter one-half of the 18th century. Masopha's
legend is also allegorized inward songs in addition to poesy sung in addition to recited during male
initiation rituals such as mokorotlo (initiation ritual dance).
Sometimes names are derived from non-relatives, names that are also
associated with important historical events at international in addition to regional levels.
For instance, Keisara (kaiser), Tjotje (King George), Jeremane (German), Setene
(Steyn), a Boer leader during the Anglo-Boer war) Prominent British
administrators such as Griffith in addition to Lugden receive got been commemorated inward some
of Moshoeshoe's leading descendants. Some names reverberate the separation of the
family members from the caput of the household owing to migratory labour to
the South African mines. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid born during the father's absence may live named
Join (father 'joined' the mine recruits"), Jubilee (named after the Diamond
Jubilee of 1897 or Silver Jubilee of 1935) (Ashton, 1967). These names of
prominent people in addition to historical events were formerly used inward estimating the
ages of their bearers who, inward most cases, may live illiterate in addition to without birth
records. Ideally to the private they may serve to promote a positive selfimage as ane was born during an of import lawsuit in addition to a critical time period in
Basotho history.
Similarly, to call children after events may serve psychological and
emotional needs of the society or family. When the nascency of a man child coincides with
a calamity that has befallen a family, he is named Kotsi (danger or accident) or
Tsietsi (accident), during an invasion of locusts that receive got destroyed planted
crops the names Tsie (locust), Sehlolo (disaster) may live used for boys. Often
people volition refer to an lawsuit whenever ane asks for their dates of birth. It could
be said that naming after events serves as a "recording" system. Therefore,
individuals embody the important associated with their names in addition to inward the process
try to live upwardly to the expected behaviour or personage that is dedicated to the
name. Some individuals go to the extent of bespeak elders almost the chronicle
associated with their call in addition to compose poetic recitals about the name. This
ingenious science is good demonstrated inward the compositions of initiation school
poetry called Lithoko in addition to during mokorotlo (traditional manly someone dance) yesteryear male
initiates in addition to elders respectively. Guma held that:
It is also truthful ... that private deeds of bravery on the component subdivision of a youth,
who did non yet belong to an established state of war machine regiment, could in addition to did
result inward such a ane composing praises for himself on the ground of his
manly deeds. (1983: 152).
A classical instance hither is that of Lepoqo who, as a youth, defeated the elderly
Ramonaheng in addition to and then praised himself as follows:
Ke nna Moshweshwe Moshwashwaila waha Kadi;
Lebeola le beotseng Ramonaheng ditedu;
Le ho hola ha di eso hole,
Di ya sala di hola maisao.
I am Moshweshwe, the hairdresser of Kadi's house,
The hairdresser who shaved Ramonaheng's beard.
It has non fifty-fifty grown yet,
It volition rest growing inward years to come.
(Guma 1983: 152)
It tin can live noted from this praise that the get-go thing that the reciter mentions is his
name, as if introducing himself to the gathering. This call may live his real
name or ane that he has acquired or coined for himself on the ground of his deeds.
Guma goes on to illustrate that the call of the private is expanded,
elaborated, in addition to interesting anecdotes almost "the self" given. Through this self
praise-poem the individual's entire life history is thus told inward a broad outline.
Those who know him may also fill upwardly inward the diverse details almost their own
understanding of his personhood/personage. Here the reciter may refer, for
instance to the build in addition to personal appearance of the private he is praising as
follows:
Kerefese ha ho motho a teng,
Le ka mahlo o ka mo thola hodimo
”Griffith is a real curt person,
One tin can easily overlook him “ (1983: 154)
Basotho girl
There are a serial of names that also correspond the socio-cultural, lived-in
experience. Names may announce repeated decease inward the same family, especially
that of children. Here the kid may live presented with a call that is expected to
have an opposite (meaning) termination from the literal important of the given name.
These are usually derived from nonhuman phenomena such as animals. From
animals such as Polomashwashe (alligator) the call Polo for a man child may be
derived, in addition to from Moselantja (dog), Moselantja (dog's tail) is used to call a
girl. This facial expression of lived-in experience through nature is extended to names
denoting an unusual nascency place; delayed birth; children born out of wedlock and
those of uncertain paternity; denoting patience, endurance or perseverance;
names referring to social disharmony such as inward Lekgotla (court of law);
problems or dissatisfaction with the bride-wealth or marriage; in addition to those names
which refer to personal qualities. These are some of the social experiences
which are embedded inward special names that are given to a kid depending on
what sexual activity the kid is.
Litsoejane - Girls Initiation School
The naming of twins falls also nether this category. Twins are usually called
by the same name, which inward most cases reflects the motion of joy in addition to anxiety
(Ashton 1967: 33; Mohome 1972: 178). They are regarded as a special gift from
the ancestors. The nascency of twins is believed to live an indication of fortune and
blessings endowed yesteryear ancestors upon the parents. On the other hand, twins are
believed to live fragile in addition to this results inward anxiety amid parents, as they are not
expected to hit adult historic time period without ane or the other dying. To insure their
survival, rituals, taboos are held in addition to observed respectively. Not only is the
mother looked after yesteryear the manly someone parent in addition to adjacent of kin, it is also customary to do
everything twofold to insure that the life of the twins volition live sustained. For
identical twins, the call of the twin delivered finally is ever inward the diminutive
form: names such as Mosemodi-Mosemotsane (legendary, important obscure) for
girls or Masilo-Masilonyane (legendary inward folktales, important obscure). Among
fraternal twins, names dot the sexual activity rather than monastic enjoin of birth. Here nosotros find
names such as Tabo (joy) a boy, in addition to Thabang (be happy) for a girl; Tshepo
(trust, hope) man child in addition to Tshepiso (promise) for the girl, amid others.
The arrival of missionaries during the 1800s inward Basutoland led to
fundamental transformations inward Basotho social life in addition to worldview. The primary
objective of the missionaries was to convert Basotho to Christianity. The
number of chiefs who were converted at the fourth dimension could evaluate an assessment
of the impact of missionaries; the introduction of formal education; in addition to yesteryear the
number of publications in addition to literary accounts yesteryear indigenous Sotho writers whose
works are silent read today. Concomitant to conversion was the introduction of
"Christian" names amid those who were baptised inward the church building in addition to to pupils
attending missionary schools. Children were given names derived from the
Bible to announce their newly acquired status, English linguistic communication names were also used inward this
fashion peculiarly for those who had to go in addition to piece of employment for European settler
families. They eventually adopted English linguistic communication names as 2nd names inward monastic enjoin to
avoid the derogatory modes of address so ofttimes used yesteryear Europeans at the time
such as "Sixpence" "Jim" or "Mary" (Ashton 1967).
The adoption of English linguistic communication names as consistent with Christianity was another
ploy yesteryear which missionaries divided Basotho society betwixt "Converts" and
"Non-Converts" (Majake le Majakane). The sons of those chiefs who accepted
conversion were baptised with names such as "Nehemiah", "Jeremiah" among
others. There was, of course of instruction resistance from other Chiefs who refused to be
converted in addition to were against the utilisation of English linguistic communication names argument that these names
were associated with unusual domination in addition to submission to a European god (cf.
Setiloane 1976: 130). Nevertheless, English linguistic communication names became identified with being
a Christian; existence civilized, existence a smart in addition to proper thing to have; in addition to a mark
of alteration inward status (Ashton 1967: 32; Guma 1983: 185). Alongside
Christianity, the adoption of European names yesteryear Basotho entrenched European
cultural hegemony, farther subordinating their cultural traditions to that of
Europeans.
4. TEKNONYMS AND TLHOMPHO CUSTOM
The utilisation of teknonymous names in addition to the Tlhompho custom are associated with
the union establishment inward Sotho society. Kunene (1958: 159) holds that "the
expression ho Tlhompho includes amid its meanings, "to respect, to honour".
It is ofttimes used to refer to a custom whereby honour is shown inward a conventional
manner to elders, authorities, senior relatives, in-laws, senior clan members
among others, inward the social life of Southern Sotho. But to a greater extent than specifically
Tlhompho refers to particular forms of behaviour inward which a newly wed is
expected "to avoid certainly words" pertaining to the in-laws' household. It is
taboo for a married adult woman to address her father-in-law yesteryear his get-go name, while
the same holds for the mother in law inward relation to her son-in-law’s call and
vice versa. Thus she must honour in addition to avoid (Tlhompho) the personal call of
her father-in-law in addition to of his kinsmen inward that category or status potency and
must telephone phone him yesteryear a special call (Ashton 1967: 76). In brief, teknonymous
names in addition to the Tlhompho customary names serve to address or refer to a person
by using the call of his or her child; they found avoidance rules between
affinal relationships yesteryear substituting the personal call with a given call or kin
term. Finally, they serve to avoid certainly words that are related or associated
with the father-in-law's personal call in addition to types of enjoined behaviour.
Among Basotho, union gives both men in addition to women a novel status inward society
with concomitant rights in addition to privileges (Ashton 1967). Added to this is the new
relationship that incorporates both the brace in addition to their families. Within this
relationship, a novel bride is usually given a teknonymous call so that the inlaws avoid addressing her or referring to her yesteryear her maiden call (Mohome
1972: 181). The hubby is expected to telephone phone her yesteryear this call peculiarly among
kin members or inward public. Sometimes the call becomes permanent as her
firstborn is usually given a call that volition gibe her teknonymous name. If, for
example, she is named Mmatshepo, her child, if it is a boy, may live named
Tshepo (trust). For a immature adult woman the call is dropped for ane that is suitable for a girl
such as Tshepiso (promise). Since Basotho are a patrilineal society, the majority
of teknonymous names given to novel brides are based on boy's names.
Similarly, when the adult woman gives nascency to her get-go child, she is at nowadays referred
to as "Mother of so-and-so", as inward Mme wa Pule, in addition to her hubby "Father of soand-so", as inward Ntate wa Pule (literally manly someone parent of Pule). The other construction in
which the prefix=s Ra- in addition to Mma- are affixed to the call of the child, for
example Rapule or Mmapule receive got no equivalent inward English, though Mohome
(1972: 181) suggests that the similarity could live derived from Irish Gaelic names such
as McCarthy, McKinney, amid others. It tin can also live added that in that location are also
abbreviated forms of linguistic constructions yesteryear which the adult woman in addition to her
husband are addressed, such as ntat'a Pule instead of Ntate wa Pule or Mm'a
Pule, instead of Mma wa Pule.
It is indeed inside this sociolinguistic phenomenon that the presentation of
"self", personhood" in addition to individuality tin can live discerned inward the utilisation of
teknonymous names inward Sotho society. Not only are these linguistic terms
associated with the commutation of names in addition to the enjoined behaviour at an adult
level, but also children are expected to utilisation the long cast of teknonymous labels.
For children to utilisation the curt cast is regarded as a sign of disrespect for an adult.
Children may utilisation teknonymous names only yesteryear farther adding classificatory kin
terms to them (Mohome 1972: 182). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Mosotho kid volition thence address or
refer to Rapule as ntate Rapule ('Father Rapule' or literally 'Father Father of
Pule'). Thus it tin can live argued that teknonyms amid Basotho receive got an added
function "the inculcation of honour for authority" (La Fontaine 1977: 432),
although it simultaneously distinguishes the private inward what Fortes (1973:
315) refers to as "a seat inward a scheme of social relations".
There is also attendant behaviour that is associated with the adoption of
teknonymous names betwixt the daughter-in-law in addition to her father-in-law
including her husband’s elderberry brother. About her behaviour toward the in-laws
Ashton notes that:
A daughter-in-law should ever live decorous in addition to modest inward the presence
of her father-in-law. She should maintain her trunk covered in addition to should not
suckle her babe or trip the low-cal fantastic toe the mokhibo inward his presence. Nor should she
remain inward a room solitary with him, sit down nigh him, swallow out of the same pot,
shake hands with him or inward whatever way touching him. She may create for him
and fifty-fifty spread his sleeping mats but should non launder his clothes to
touch his intimate property, such as saddle or gun. These rules are strictly
observed early on inward marriage, but are gradually relaxed as fourth dimension goes on.
(1967: 77).
In add-on to this behaviour she must avoid all words that are related to the
father-in-law's personal name. There are however, some variations amid the
clans as to a strict adherence to this taboo. Among BaKoena in addition to BaPhuthi, it
hardly extends beyond the father-in-law in addition to his brothers, whereas among
BaTlokoa it includes to a greater extent than distant relations as good as words occurring inward the
names of these relatives (Ashton 1967). As a termination newly weds receive got to acquire a
long listing of substitute words that invariably cast a 'sub-cultural' language. Her
personhood, amid other things, is determined yesteryear her sincerity inward learning these
words in addition to applying them inward her daily linguistic communication inside in addition to exterior the
household. Although in that location are no measure Tlhompho terms, in that location are some
universally recognized ones. The observance of this custom amid Southern
Sotho is interpreted as a sign of goodness upbringing (Kunene 1958: 165). The
woman's in-laws experience disgraced if she does non present her honour for them inward the
socially approved manner. It becomes a problem, though, when, for instance, at
a regime business office or Post Office when officials are to ascertain the call of an
individual who may live a pensioner in addition to the someone they are dealing with is not
supposed to pronounce such name. Ideally the utilisation of teknonymous names yesteryear the
woman, which, of course, is associated with deference toward senior men and
womenfolk, serves as ane of a number of social sanctions yesteryear which individual
personhood is evaluated in addition to invariably approved.
On the other hand, a man's human relationship with his in-laws is non as complex as
that of his wife. The adult man does non ofttimes come upwardly into contact with his in-laws, but
between him in addition to his mother in law similar 'avoidance' behaviour as that of a
man in addition to his daughter-in-law prevails. Before a adult man begets a child, his motherin-law addresses him yesteryear his kin term Mokgwenyana (son-in-law), piece she is
addressed in addition to referred to as Mme (mother) yesteryear him. The teknonymy "father of
so-and-so" volition live the cast of address yesteryear the mother in law as shortly as the sonin-law has a child. Sons-in-law also refer to their in-laws yesteryear using the kin terms
such as Mohwe, (father-in-law) in addition to Mohwehadi (mother-in-law). Similarly, a
man is supposed to address or refer to his son-in-law yesteryear the term Mokgwenyana
(son-in-law) or teknonymy in addition to non his name, the same applies to his daughterin-law who is addressed or referred to a Ngwetsi (daughter-in-law) or woman parent of
so-and-so. His in-laws do non give the son-in-law a teknonymous name, as it is
with the daughter-in-law. There are also kin terms yesteryear which the son-in-law
addresses his wife's brothers in addition to sisters so are (brother-in-law).
Finally nosotros volition consider the utilisation of names as presentation of 'self',
'personhood' in addition to 'individual' inward adolescent manly someone in addition to woman someone initiation rituals to
adulthood inward Basotho society. The notion of 'personhood', 'self' in addition to 'individual'
during initiation rituals is epitomized yesteryear the diverse call categories that are
assigned to the private initiates in addition to those that the adult participants give
themselves.
Names inward this context are classified according to status,
genealogical seniority, clan-name (among the Sotho clans), natural and
behavioural characteristics, personality attributes in addition to yesteryear praise-poems (lithoko).
The names given to the individuals should reverberate a combination of these
qualities in addition to their life histories. Here nosotros acquire both private in addition to world names, that
is, those names which are regarded as a clandestine of the initiation school
exclusively in addition to those which tin can live known yesteryear women in addition to children in addition to other
people at large through the recital of praise-poems at home.
Prior to the incorporation of Basotho to industrialization (monetary
economy) initiation names of the sons of chiefs transcended the confines of
initiation school. They were also used for naming age-group regiments. All
those who were initiated with him identified themselves as belonging to Chief
so-and-so son's regiment in addition to were called yesteryear his name, in addition to "it was regarded as a
great honour to live initiated with a Chief's son" (Kunene 1958: 184). Because of
the status element associated with the Chief's son's regiment name, older boys
would sometimes hold back to live circumcised with a chief's son.
Basotho women
For girl-initiates, names are formulated yesteryear attaching a prefix ra to nouns or
verbs as inward the instance of teknonymous names of parents. However, hither the name
does non receive got the same important such as "father of so-and-so". Here what is
conveyed are the qualities such as adeptness, speed, skilfulness, dexterity among
others. For instance, a immature adult woman initiate yesteryear the call of 'Ralebelo' (lebelo means
speed) is given this call because she is "the ane of speed". Another characteristic of
girls' initiate-names is that a bulk of their names are formed yesteryear adding the
prefix 'ra' to her maternal uncle's name. Mohome speculates that this custom
may live to honour the mother's blood brother who invariably plays a vital role inward the
life of his sister's children. Some of the names given to girls during initiation
include the following:
Ratsebo (Tsebo - knowledge)
Ramatla (Matla - strength)
Ramona (Mona - selfishness)
Ramatjato (Matjato - agility) (1958: 184).
Basotho girls inward initiation schoolhouse going thru initiation process
It should live noted that prior to initiation boys in addition to girls are non regarded as
accomplished 'persons' yet. They are addressed inward derogatory terms, in addition to called
mushimane (boy), ntja (dog) leqai in addition to girls or lethisa (brother-in-law of a
polecat), they are said to aroma similar billy-goats in addition to a Sus scrofa with litter of piglets
respectively. By existence at the initiation schoolhouse the initiate is no longer regarded
as a 'sub-human' or nonhuman being. Initiation is a transitional phase inward his or
her life that qualifies the initiate to live approved in addition to accepted as a human being
in the society. It is against this backdrop that the naming of initiates tin can be
understood.
Basotho River boy
In add-on to personal names Basotho receive got clan-names in addition to surnames.
During initiation rites the most of import call is the clan-name, which
invariably clarifies the status hierarchy of the private amid other initiates.
Whereas the clan-name determines the seat of the initiate, initiation names
serve as 'personhood' identifications in addition to as passwords to go inward the following
initiation lodge without hindrance. Among Basotho uninitiated persons are not
allowed to see the lodge. Thus names that are given at initiation schools
'remain behind' in addition to are used yesteryear those who are involved inward the initiation rites.
Female Basotho initiates
Following is an instance of this exercise inward ane of the Basotho groups.
Among Batlokoa, the Chief's sons Ba-lefe are preceded yesteryear a Tebele
(Ndebele) of the Sekhosana clan. Ashton (1967) in addition to Allenberger (1969)
maintain that this is done so that the letebele may shield his seniors from harm
and force upon himself the sorcery of their enemies. Not only is their
geneological in addition to clan seniority observed, but also the initiation names reflect
this relationship. The get-go initiate inward the line of piece of employment is named kokoptshe (the get-go one),
Moswephe (the finally one) in addition to intervening names such as Okantshufala (the black
one), Okapota (the circular one), Shohlo lamisitshi (lady's underwear). The latter
one is usually given to an initiate who used to live ever inward the fellowship of girls
prior to initiation. Initiates are non supposed to refer to or telephone phone ane some other by
their personal names that are used at home. Should ane forget another's initiate
name, the initiate refers to the other as mphato or thaka (fellow initiate or age
mate) in addition to it is through this teknonymous call that a bond of solidarity is
developed amid initiates.
A BaSotho initiate at HaMohlokaqala hamlet inward western Kingdom of Lesotho sings a vocal as he in addition to his peers prepare to render to society as men after undergoing a gruelling traditional 4 calendar month initiation physical care for December 10, 1999. The blankets they wore throughout the time period are gathered for washing inward front end of the hut - today they volition where novel blankets. (Greg Marinovich)
What is of primary importance, however, is the adoption of songs (koma) and
praise-poems (lithoko) as a medium to correspond the 'self', piece elders on the
other mitt communicate to the initiates what it is to live a Mosotho person. The
koma as embody the 'truth' during initiation yesteryear which the 'boy' is expected to
acquire manhood in addition to masculinity as against the normative childhood
association with 'womanhood' formalises this notion of Mosotho manhood and
personhood. Only when this association is severed yesteryear existence incorporated into
the 'manhood' status volition the man child live regarded as mature plenty to bear
responsibility. Some of the knowledge contained inward these songs is presented as
follows:
Modimo wa rona Our God
Modino wa borare God of our fathers,
O a utlwa: ... Thou hearest: ...
Thaka tsa me My friends
Hale nkutlwa na? Don't yous listen me?
Ke le Ruta thuto tsa molao I learn yous lessons of the law
Mo lao keo neheloe From my forebears
Ba itseng ho nna: Who said to me:
Hlokomela dikgomo Respect the Chiefs
Esita la e tla ba teng Even those silent to live born
E, metswalle yaka Yes, my friends,
Le ya mosallanyana Even the finally remaining one
O tla ba le sekgotho You volition receive got a son
Ha o ena le sekgotho When yous receive got a son
E tla ba sa motse oona ona He volition belong to this real same
village. (Guma 1983: 119).
Dithoko (praises), on the contrary, autumn into 3 categories, those of boy
initiates (Makolwame), animals (diphofolo) in addition to divine bones (ditaola), as well
as those of kings (Marena) in addition to warriors (diroki). For the purpose of this
discussion the focus volition live on man child initiates' praise poems (dithoko
tsamakolwane). These are primarily private initiate's compositions, which are
praises for themselves in addition to almost themselves. Every initiate has to give himself a
new call that he volition live publicly known as lekolwane (young initiated man)
(Guma 1983: 136) when he recites his praises. Like the names given to female
initiates, man child initiates' names refer to qualities such as strength, skillfulness
among others. Each lekolwane begins his praises with his novel name.
In his composition, the reciter may attribute admirable qualities unto himself,
identify himself with ferocious animals, force his imaginary build in addition to facial
features putting himself inward the best possible light. The reciter may also draw
from prevailing prejudices inward society much as betwixt traditionalists and
converts (Majakane). Individual life histories are also recited through this
medium of praise-poems. Sometimes they present familiarity with birds in addition to cattle
and disclose their experiences as workers inward European concerns. Below are some
of the names adopted yesteryear Makolwane to seat themselves during recitals:
ho hana (to refuse) - Lehana (one-who-refuses)
he nepa (to hitting on the target)- Lenepa (one who hits the target)
ho tlama (to bind) - Letlama (one who unites)
(Kunene 1958: 184).
Sometimes such names acquire so pop that they supersede the existent ones.
This was the instance with Lepoqo who became Letlama after initiation in addition to later
Moshweshwe (the founder of the Sotho nation). His historic time period grouping regiment was
known as Amatlama. The next praise-poems serve as examples of the
nature yesteryear which the 'self' or private is represented or portrayed through
initiation rituals inward Basotho society:
Mohlankana e Motshwana Lefeta
Mme mmangwane mosadi wa batho,
O tiise pelo s se ole moholo
Ditsietsi ha di maktse mosadi
Mosala le dikgutsana ha a hloname;
Ha hlonama di ya hodiswa ke mang?
Lefu le manyala nthong tsa batho
La nka ntate la ntshiya Shalabeng.
“A dark-complexioned immature man, Lefeta
Mother dear, thou piteous footling woman
The ane who remains with orphans, never sulks,
If she sulks, who volition pick out them up?
Death is evil inward human affairs,
It took my manly someone parent in addition to left me real far.”
(Guma 1983: 142).
source:
Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho
human face of lesotho
An xviii years old girl and her boyfriend(right) shows fashion clothes made yesteryear herself inward Kingdom of Lesotho Jul.26, 2001.
Basotho people
The Basotho land emerged from the accomplished diplomacy of Moshoeshoe 1st, who gathered together disparate clans of Sotho-Tswana beginning whom had dispersed across southern Africa inward the early on nineteenth century. Even so, the bulk of Sotho people today live inward South Africa, as they receive got done for centuries.
Basotho women. Guests at the wedding. All dressed inward what are modernised versions of the traditional Basotho clothes (Seshoeshoe).
Mythological/folkloric origins
Ntsoana-Tsatsi is believed to live the seat of beginning of the Sotho/Basotho people. It is both a mythical and
physical place. The mythical aspect of it, as described yesteryear Ellenberger (1988) is a seat from where the get-go Sotho people emerged.
Basotho people
They are believed to receive got come upwardly from the ground at Ntsoana-Tsatsi, where in that location is a lot of H2O in addition to reeds. The geographical location of this seat is believed to live Vrede inward the Free State Province of South Africa, according to accounts yesteryear informants. It silent carries this call in addition to some Sotho people are silent found inward the area.
History
Pastoralist Bantu speaking people settled inward South Africa inward almost 200–500 CE. Originating inward the vicinity of West in addition to Central Africa, waves of Iron Age immigrants spread across the broad Southern African peninsula, easily displacing the aboriginal Stone Age inhabitants of South Africa. By the 19th century, stable patterns of settlement had emerged. Nguni speaking tribes (primarily Zulu in addition to Xhosa) occupied the eastward in addition to southern coastal regions, piece a serial of Sotho kingdoms covered the southern portion of the plateau (Free
The Basotho Village - the "khotla", the gathering seat of men
As far dorsum as 1780,Diginswayo main of Umtetwa , engaged inward scheme of subjugating all the independent peoples of the surrounding province on the eastward of Drakensberg in addition to uniting them nether his sole potency (Ellensberger 1912,117). In this way he succeeded inward defeating Amakwadini in addition to other people including Amazulu of Senzangakhona. When he died the famous King Shaba took over in addition to fought all the tribes from Delagoa bay to Umzimkulu during the early on decade of nineteenth century.
In his attacks Shaka overpowered in addition to subjugated every tribe without regard for historic time period or sex. The tribes fled in addition to threw themselves inward turn on tribes weaker than themselves. Among these was Zwide who slew Diginswayo, Shaka attacked Amangwane who lived on the eastern slopes of Drakensberg. These inward turn attacked Amahlubi. The Amahlubi cruel upon Batlokwa of Mmantstisi, a widow acting as main for her boy Sekonyela. The latter fled westward. The communities attacked yesteryear Amangwane,Amahlubi in addition to Mmantatisi were uprooted, in addition to these consequently uprooted others with the termination that every inhabitant of what is at nowadays Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to the Free State were caught inward a struggle for survival. Sanders (1975:29)describe the province of affairs yesteryear saying:
Warfare was no longer yesteryear cattle raiding inward the fields yesteryear little grouping of enterprise warriors\,
but invasion yesteryear starving hordes which swept into villages,killing indiscriminately, setting fire
to the huts in addition to seizing both stock in addition to grain. Many fled from the expanse completely,most of
them taking refuge inward the Cape colony. Others survived yesteryear hunting in addition to gathering,and became
known as "Makaota" important "The Lean Ones." Others,more wretched in addition to degraded still'
turned to horrors of cannibalism, but thousands must receive got died of starvation in addition to thousand
to a greater extent than were killed inward battles."
This hamlet organisation may receive got enabled the Sotho villagers to defend themselves to a greater extent than effectively than they could receive got with dispersed households, in addition to it in all likelihood facilitated command over community headmen in addition to subjects yesteryear the main in addition to his family.
Basotho medicine man
Basotho passage of rites
Sotho villages were also organized into age-sets, or groups of men or women who were unopen inward age. Each age-set had specific responsibilities e.g. men organized for warfare in addition to herding. An entire age-set to a greater extent than ofttimes than non graduated from ane chore to the next, in addition to the hamlet ofttimes celebrated this alter with a serial of rituals and, inward some cases, an initiation ceremony.
Basotho man child inititiates.Boys from circumcision “lodge.” The ochred domestic dog inward the foreground serves as a reminder that the uncircumcised are similar dogs. Boys are thought to receive got invisible tails earlier they are initiated. Dogs, similar boys, also undergo a “circumcision.” In their case, a flake of flesh is excised from below their tongues. Neither boys nor dogs are expected to mature if they rest uncircumcised. The boys are wrapped inward blankets which symbolize in addition to consequence their social transition from boyhood to manhood. One initiate sports a neat number of the security pins which are used to pivot the boys’ symbolic blanket-wear together. Another initiate wears a mirror, a mutual adornment for “graduates”of a circumcision lodge. Circumcision rites are anathema to missionaries who claim that the boys are treated with medicines containing human flesh (obtained through “ritual” or “medicine” murder).
In the yesteryear initiations into adulthood were elaborate ceremonies lasting a few months, inward which girls in addition to boys were taken separately to the bush inward the winter. The boys were circumcised. Increasingly, funerals receive got acquire the most elaborate life-cycle rituals.
Basotho man child initiates
The exercise of the initiation ceremony for boys that are deemed to live ready to live immature men is silent an integral component subdivision of rural Basotho culture.
Basotho manly someone initiates
Among the Basotho, traditional initiation (Lebollo) has 3 meanings, which grade achange in addition to a passage to maturity. The get-go important refers to the tapering-off of the umbilical cord from a newly born babe (ngoana o bolotse) that also signifies the terminate of menses for its mother. The umbilical cord is discarded yesteryear burying it. This signifies a bond a kid has with the soil of its origin. This explains the anger people receive got should they live removed from their birthplace. Shaving the baby’s head, smearing the flooring with mud in addition to slaughtering a sheep for thanksgiving in addition to welcome of the babe into the household unit of measurement celebrate Lebollo. When the babe is shown
a live sheep, Basotho would say, ‘our kid nosotros welcome yous into the family. This is your sheep, pick out it’. The sheep would in addition to then live slaughtered in addition to all those women who brought showering gifts in addition to other services for giving nascency would live invited for merry-making. It is after this celebration that a babe would live given a name.
Basotho manly someone initiates:Basotho "coming of age" preparation for boys is conducted yesteryear sending groups of boys to clandestine locations inward the mountains with a few "leaders"
As a patriarchal society where traditionally women are expected to honour men at all times in addition to men are the primary if non sole conclusion makers, it makes feel that the locations of the schools as good as the things learned, discussed in addition to performed at these schools would live kept from the one-half of the population non able to attend.
For the time period od 3 months or more, they don't bathe. They article of apparel only a carmine diaper similar bottom in addition to a blanket. They don't article of apparel shoes in addition to they cover themselves with a carmine dyed mud that is supposed to go out their peel healthier than it has ever been.
The 2nd important of initiation refers to circumcision at the modern infirmary when a man child kid or a adult man goes for genital performance that removes the foreskin at the hospital. Among the Basotho people volition ever say ‘o bolotse’, important that he has been circumcised. There are no ceremonial rituals to grade this type of
procedure since it is non regarded as having anything sacred almost it. However, those who receive got gone through it silent experience that it should live treated secretly as though it is the same as the ‘bush’ schoolhouse circumcision. Because of their rigorous training. Basotho manly someone initiates are real particular almost their initiation preparation in addition to would experience real offended if his manly someone parent could only go inward his room piece he was non properly dressed. Those who receive got attended the ‘bush training’ do non regard those circumcised at the infirmary as truthful initiates. There are silent animosities betwixt the initiates in addition to them.
Basotho man child initiates.The circumcised boys sing “praise poems”. Some poems onslaught a Christian women’s grouping whose members are thought to live notorious witches who kill initiates.The 3rd important of Lebollo refers to a rite of passage into adulthood of both adolescent boys in addition to girls. It is this type of Lebollo that presents challenges to the rural communities inward Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to South Africa. Due to the confidentiality in addition to utmost secrecy of the process, the give-and-take volition non live so much on what is happening during initiation, but what both the graduates from the traditional initiation schools in addition to those who receive got never attended as good as the society at large, view as existence the problems in addition to prospects. The initiates
cannot tell the clandestine (koma) but were willing to say what happened. This Koma (secrecy) remains a mystery to outsiders.
Basotho boys initiates
Male initiation is to a greater extent than pop than woman someone one. Big celebrations are held at the terminate of the physical care for at the initiates’ respective homes. Boys go to the mountains in addition to pass many weeks in that location to live taught almost their ancestors, culture, history in addition to of import events, behavior, hard-ships, respect, accountability, household unit of measurement issues, solving household unit of measurement conflicts in addition to diseases.
Initiation schoolhouse secrets are taught in addition to discussed as older wiser men deed as mentors to the younger generation so as to proceed this tradition. These immature men dressed inward traditional Basotho attire, receive got made themselves famous for the beautiful, distinct songs that they sing when they render from the mountains. They are expected to live ambassadors who are proud of their heritage.
Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Girls from initiation performing fertility rites. The girls’ veils are burned when the rites come upwardly to an end. The girls’ breasts are wrapped inward thick grass ropes (concealed yesteryear blankets ).
.For women it is non such a large occasion except amid the Matebele clan. With the coming of Western civilisation Lebollo got pushed aside as an educational institution. Its richness got sacrificed in addition to substituted.
Basotho girls initiates
Girls from initiation. They take hold reeds symbolizing the belief that the Basotho had their genesis inward a reed bed. They article of apparel cowskin skirts because the cow, which was at the ground of their traditional culture, is “the Basotho’s mother”.
Basotho initiated girls
The inflated gall bladder (in the pilus ) is for goodness luck. The beast fatty about their necks comes from the reproductive organs of the stock which has been sacrificed for their initiation. It enhances their fertility.However, currently the style seems to receive got changed. More boys are over again leaving schoolhouse in addition to joining Lebollo.
Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Initiated girls eating. This is during a phase of their initiation when they go almost smeared with white clay.Basotho immature adult woman initiates.Touring the countryside after the rites receive got come upwardly to an end.Seated initiates inward circular formation with their feet coming together inward the center, initiation pigment visible on their legs
Basotho immature adult woman initiates. Girls from initiation performing fertility rites. The girls’ veils are burned when the rites come upwardly to an end. The girls’ breasts are wrapped inward thick grass ropes (concealed yesteryear blankets ).
Religion
The Supreme Being that the Sotho people believe inward is most commonly referred to as Modimo. Modimo is approached through the spirits of one's ancestors, the balimo, who are honored at ritual feasts. Theologian Klaus Nürnberger (1975) contends the God of the Sotho people did non communicate with them inward whatever way or require of them whatever activeness or acknowledgement of his existence.
Basotho Ngaka - The Chief's advisor who is the os adult man - Traditional healer or Witchdoctor who reads your hereafter through the bones
between God in addition to the Sotho people (Nürnberger 1975). However, Sotho people receive got beliefs in addition to practices that admit other deities known as ancestral spirits. Ancestral spirits are spirits of Sotho men who receive got died. Each spirit is remembered in addition to acknowledged yesteryear the household unit of measurement members as senior inward rank, to live recognized as an ancestor, through ritual in addition to exercise (Nürnberger 1975). Each community had its traditional herbalist healers called Ngaka inward Sesotho. They functioned as shamans, spiritual counselors in addition to protectors against evil spirits in addition to magic.
The ancestral spirit has the might to touching on the lives of his household unit of measurement inward either a negative or positive way depending on their acknowledgement of him through ritual in addition to practice. It is, as Nürnberger (1975: 177) puts it, the responsibleness of the household unit of measurement to perform sacrifices in addition to the pouring of traditional beer as a agency of acknowledging in addition to recognizing the ancestor in addition to their superior. These acts serve to appease the ancestor so that he volition non deed against them yesteryear causing problems for them such as drought with others, the ancestor volition instead bless the household unit of measurement in addition to maintain them from harm (Nürnberger 1975). He points out, in addition to I agree, that ancestral spirits rely on their descendants for survival because they are only remembered if in that location are
people live to admit their presence through ritual (Nürnberger 1975: 177).
In cases where sick fate has befallen the family, diviners or traditional doctors serve as a link betwixt them in addition to their ancestors to uncovering the motion of such problems. The diviner volition in addition to then offering instructions, from the ancestral spirits, on how to proceed to restore that which was lost.
People contact their ancestor through diviners for diverse reasons; it tin can live to acknowledge, seek blessings, in addition to give cheers in addition to so on. According to Bishop of the Catholic Church of Johannesburg, Buti Thlagale (2006: 2) ancestral spirits were praised in addition to celebrated communally in addition to played the role of regulating morality in addition to protecting their descendants. The real nature of Sotho beliefs in addition to religion is what made it slow for the transition to Christianity yesteryear many at its introduction inward the nineteenth century, at the arrival of the French
missionaries inward Kingdom of Lesotho (de Clark 2000). King Moshoeshoe welcomed the missionaries, he in addition to his people learnt almost Christianity from them in addition to many were converted in addition to became church building members. “… Casalis, Gosselin in addition to Arbousset founded the mission which was to acquire the pride of their society, …” (de Clark 2000: 5). The introduction of Christianity brought immense alter to the Sotho society. The role of the diviner was taken over yesteryear the priest or pastor with the recognition of God as to a greater extent than than a distant deity, but a God who involves himself inward their lives in addition to they interact daily with him. They also began to interact with God in addition to to admit him through church building attendance in addition to prayer with other actions. The introduction of Jesus Christ as both adult man in addition to God was non hard for the Sotho to comprehend as the ancestral spirits receive got a similar role; thence the transition was non overly challenging (Quinlan 1988).
Marriage
In Sotho tradition, the adult man is considered the caput of the household. Women are defined as farmers in addition to bearers of children. Polygymous marriages (more than ane wife) are non uncommon amid the elite, but they are rare amid commoners.
Basotho couples
Marriages are arranged yesteryear transfer of bohadi (bride wealth) from the household unit of measurement of the groom to the household unit of measurement of the bride. In Sotho, the words for manly someone parent (ntate) in addition to woman parent (mme) are used commonly as address forms of honour for one's elders. The full general mental attitude toward childhood is good summarized yesteryear the saying Lefura la ngwana ke ho rungwa, which roughly translates as "Children do goodness from serving their elders."
Litsoejane - Girls Initiation Schoo
Music
At the pump of the Basotho tradition in addition to civilization is music in addition to dance. They receive got ever been an inextricable component subdivision of Basotho life. Countless rituals in addition to social activities are accompanied yesteryear song, trip the low-cal fantastic toe in addition to ululation.
Basotho Dancers
The 3 dances; the mohobelo, litolobonya, in addition to the mokhibo are performed regularly. On special occasions, to honour their chief, the men performed the mohobelo. The Basotho, similar their fellows the Zulus, the Xhosa in addition to Tswana, love to sing! The African Spirituals of the deep South, in addition to the natural harmonies of the African inward his ain habitat, percentage a bond, indicating a mutual heritage intensified yesteryear the deep felt religious convictions of the African folk at heart.
Basotho men stick Dance
They sing of their honoured founder, Moshoeshoe; they sing well-loved hymns from their broad repertoire, they sing inward English linguistic communication in addition to inward Latin, as good as inward their sis languages, Tswana in addition to Xhosa in addition to of course of instruction inward their ain Kingdom of Lesotho tongue.
litolobonya Dance
Kingdom of Lesotho women performing a traditional dance
A traditional trip the low-cal fantastic toe performed yesteryear Basotho women highlighting the vast civilization in addition to multifariousness inward Lesotho.
The distinctive shape of traditional Basotho hats are thought to live based on the shape of a mountain, Thaba Tseka, visible from the working capital missive of the alphabet of the landlocked nation.
It is such a vital symbol of Basotho identity that is has been incorporated inward silhouette into the national flag. This chapeau is an older example, finely crafted inward the fourth dimension worn tradition. It is somewhat warped from historic time period but far from detracting it adds to it's curvilinear appeal inviting the viewer to view it from all angles.
Basotho man
Basotho Food
The Basotho people historically lived inward a broad expanse that encompasses much of South Africa's Free State province in addition to also the independent kingdom of Lesotho. Urbanisation in addition to migrant labour receive got ensured that yous volition at nowadays ofttimes listen the Sotho linguistic communication spoken inward Gauteng. In its traditional heartland Basotho cooking reflects the agricultural in addition to culinary demands of mutual frigidity winters in addition to mountainous terrain. There is a civilization of vegetable preservation in addition to many Basotho dishes are infused yesteryear the intense flavours of Sun dried vegetables known as mangangajane.
There is a Basotho nutrient preference for a fermented flavour which is a gustation that tin can live confusing in addition to disconcerting for the uninitiated palate but is good worth acquiring. Sorghum, millet in addition to maize are ground, made into a polenta-like porridge dish which when fermented. This porridge has a yoghurt-like flavour in addition to is known as ting. Steamed dumplings made with fermented maize repast are known as leqebekoane in addition to are commonly added to stews.
Meat is luxury item but Basotho celebrations are commonly accompanied yesteryear braised oxtail which is traditionally served with dumplings, morogo-dried vegetable melanges in addition to beetroot salad. Herd boys watching sheep in addition to cattle grab wild game in addition to rabbits to sustain themselves during their long mount sojourns.
Those wishing to gustation Basotho cooking inward Pretoria should essay Kwazi which makes a heavenly ting or Janicky's Place inward Atteridgeville township which has moatwana chicken pes stew in addition to mqombothi beer. In Bloemfontein essay Buck Molakedi's Bush Pub for sechu sa khoho chicken stew. It all goes good with beer in addition to goodness fellowship which are ever on the menu. When inward Ladybrand Alida Bikane Catering in addition to Tavern inward Manyatseng township offers a delicious introduction to Basotho hospitality
King Moshoeshoe I of Lesotho, "Africa's greatest leader"
He stood upwardly against the Zulu, gained several battles against the European invaders in addition to managed to create a Basotho province that escaped incorporation inward racist South Africa. Lesotho's get-go king, Moshoeshoe I, is ofttimes called "Africa's greatest leader" inward the early on 19th century.
In midst of forcefulness out stood the Basotho people. Loosely organised inward chieftaincies in addition to committed to agriculture in addition to herding, the Basotho had few traditions of warship in addition to centralised power. Now, their lands became flooded yesteryear refugees from the Zulu expansion, in addition to a Zulu onslaught seemed imminent.
In such a pressured situation, the Basotho were luckier than many of their neighbor peoples, that were easily subdued yesteryear the Boer, British, Zulus in addition to peoples taking upwardly Shaka Zulu's ingenious state of war techniques. The Basotho found a leader inward the skillful main Moshoeshoe in addition to a refuge inward the natural fortress of the Maluti Mountains of today's Lesotho.
But who was Moshoeshoe, in addition to how did he care to unite the Basotho in addition to resist the invaders?
He was also known as Moshesh, Mosheshwe or Mshweshwe. His call was allegedly changed from Lepoqo after a successful raid inward which he had sheared the beards of his victims – the word ‘Moshoeshoe’ represented the audio of the shearing. Born almost 1786 as the boy of a little main of the Bamokoteli sub-clan, Moshoeshoe is said to receive got stood out as "very brave" already inward his immature years, thus attracting followers inward these troubled times.
While his youthful bravery may live considered later developed myths to praise a neat leader, it remains to a greater extent than certainly that Moshoeshoe took a leading role inward providing shelter to the many Basotho in addition to other refugees falling victim to the Zulu wars. Contrary to the most powerful Basotho leaders of his youth, living inward the fertile but hard to defend plains of today's Free State (South Africa), Moshoeshoe had settled inward the highlands of today's Lesotho.
Since about 1820, he ruled from Thaba Bosiu, a natural fortress on a large flat-top mount with plentiful access to H2O in addition to pastures, which proved almost impossible to pick out yesteryear attackers. In the lowlands, meanwhile, entire landscapes were burned, plundered in addition to depopulated. Moshoeshoe granted shelter, dry ground in addition to nutrient to Basotho refugees in addition to state of war victims from other peoples.
But also other, to a greater extent than powerful, Sotho chiefs had gathered their people inward mount fortresses. Moshoeshoe's success came through diplomacy in addition to goodness tactics. He was non shy to pay tributes to stronger leaders in addition to inward this way fifty-fifty managed to halt Shaka Zulu's planned onslaught on Thaba Bosiu. The Zulu leader instead attacked other Sotho chiefs. Also, Moshoeshoe wisely kept out of the rivalry betwixt Sotho leaders, whose infighting continuously weakened them in addition to eventually left them opened upwardly to unusual attacks.
In the end, Moshoeshoe provided the safest shelter to the Basotho in addition to other refugees. By at nowadays popularly known as the "Chief of the Mountain", other chiefs rallied behind him in addition to the population of his lands grew rapidly. With every novel refugee in addition to main swearing loyalty, also his wealth grew, as all cattle yesteryear custom were owned yesteryear the chief. These cattle - which thus were the mensurate of wealth could over again live used to feed the people in addition to to live used as payment inward diplomatic advances.
Not many confirmed details of Moshoeshoe's early on life are known. The best sources for this fourth dimension are the books in addition to notes yesteryear Eugène Casalis, a missionary from the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society who was brought to Kingdom of Lesotho yesteryear Moshoeshoe himself inward 1833.
Moshoeshoe had been told almost the benefits missionaries could receive got for other African peoples. He was inward particular interested inward learning almost establishing diplomatic ties with the Europeans, instruction inward European skills, but also access to firearms. Thus, he sent a mission to Cape Town, carrying 100 cattle as a present, seeking contact with European missionaries.
Mr Casalis, who had late arrived the Cape on his society's first-ever missionary mission, gladly took upwardly on the invitation. The French missionary was to play an of import role inward the consolidation of Moshoeshoe's novel kingdom, for a long fourth dimension acting as Lesotho's "foreign minister".
The missionary describes Moshoeshoe as having "an agreeable in addition to interesting countenance, his deportment is noble in addition to dignified, in addition to a benevolent smiling plays upon his lips." According to Mr Casalis, he in addition to his French followers were "greeted with the greatest demonstrations of joy" yesteryear the Basotho when they arrived Moshoeshoe's village.
King Moshoehoe I in addition to his ministers
King Moshoeshoe gave the missionary a brief description of the recent history of the Basotho. Mr Casalis reports:
"At the fourth dimension of Moshesh's [Moshoeshoe's] birth, the province of the Basotho was extremely populous. Disputes arose from fourth dimension to time, but to a greater extent than ofttimes than non footling blood was shed. The dark-green pastures of Butobute, Moshesh's home, in addition to the steep hills where he in addition to his companions hunted, are silent celebrated inward the national songs of the Basotho. At the 2nd when it was to the lowest degree expected, these favourite sports [hunting] were all of a abrupt interrupted yesteryear disastrous invasions from Natal. Desolation was carried into the peaceful valleys of Lesotho, fields remained uncultivated, in addition to the horrors of famine were added to those of war. Moshesh breasted the stream. Being of a real observant disposition, he knew how to resist in addition to how to yield at the right moment; procured himself allies, fifty-fifty amid the invaders of his territory; laid his enemies at variance with each other, in addition to yesteryear diverse acts of kindness secured the honour of those fifty-fifty who had sworn his ruin."
By the mid-1820s, most of the Basotho's most fertile mainlands were ravaged yesteryear war. The Zulus in addition to other groups such as the Ndebele started focusing on the finally Basotho seat of resistance, Moshoeshoe's mount kingdom. But Thaba Bosiu proved an impregnable fortress, in addition to Moshoeshoe proved a superb diplomat. Not only did he care to position ane enemy upwardly against the other, he also managed to acquire sympathy amid his main enemies.
Basotho man
Mr Casalis describes Moshoeshoe's diplomatic skills during ane of the most dramatic attacks on his stronghold, yesteryear the Ndebele main Mzilikazi inward 1831:
"Accustomed to victory, the Zulus advanced inward serried ranks, non appearing to notice the masses of basalt which came rolling downwards with a tremendous dissonance from the top of the mountain. But shortly in that location was a full general compaction - an avalanche of stones in addition to a shower of spears, which sent dorsum the assailants with to a greater extent than rapidity than they had advanced. The chiefs who were seen rallying the fugitives, in addition to snatching away the plumes with which their heads were decorated, in addition to trampling them nether pes inward a rage, led their men over again towards the formidable rampart. But inward vain. The adjacent 24-hour interval the Zulus retired. At the 2nd of their deviation a Mosotho, driving some fatty oxen, stopped earlier the get-go ranks, in addition to gave this message. 'Moshesh salutes you. Supposing that hunger had brought yous into this country, he sends yous these cattle, that yous may swallow them on your way home.' Moshesh was never troubled yesteryear these people again."
Indeed, the Ndebele - an Ngoni grouping fled from the Zulu, taking upwardly their state of war techniques in addition to themselves becoming invaders - gave upwardly whatever endeavour to settle inward this region. They went on a longer trek northwards, inward 1838 attacking the Shona inward modern Republic of Zimbabwe in addition to establishing a kingdom about modern Bulawayo, nowadays called Matabeleland.
Moshoeshoe's success inward halting the powerful Zulu in addition to Ndebele armies is impressive having inward heed that Thaba Bosiu remained a little society. Historians take hold that his followers inward 1833 only counted about 25.000, growing to an estimated 80.000 inward 1848, in addition to that Moshoeshoe did non receive got a standing army. The Basotho joined inward voluntary defensive operations to halt the invaders in addition to were non trained inward attacking the enemy.
Having rejected many Zulu attacks, Moshoeshoe shortly was to view an fifty-fifty greater threat, the Boers. These European settlers, seeking liberty from the steadily to a greater extent than organised British colonial potency inward Cape Town, started on their "Great Treck" into the Southern African hinterland inward 1836. They were to occupy all goodness lands from Orange River upwardly to modern Zimbabwe, also the most fertile lands of the Basotho.
The get-go coming together with the Boers was peaceful. Arriving the - yesteryear at nowadays - to a greater extent than sparsely populated Sotho lowlands, the Europeans asked Moshoeshoe for permission to graze piece moving through the landscape. The King gave his approval.
But soon, the numbers of Europeans increased, in addition to some started to settle on Sotho lands. As Moshoeshoe reminded them of the temporary grazing permission given, the Boers, at nowadays stronger through numbers, claimed the lands had been found deserted, giving them the rights to settle freely. Thus, a serial of hostilities broke out.
Moshoeshoe meanwhile had strengthened his seat as the King of the Basotho. The missionaries had brought novel crops in addition to farming methods to Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to also taught the King modern principles of administration. On the state of war machine front, he was able to purchase larger amounts of firearms. Still an first-class diplomat, Moshoeshoe enlarged his skills yesteryear Mr Casalis' knowledge of European diplomacy in addition to languages.
This proved key to success, as Kingdom of Lesotho at several crossroads managed to pick out payoff of the conflict betwixt the Boer settlers in addition to the British Cape Colony. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 British-Basotho border treaty helped Moshoeshoe oust many Boer settlers from his lands. Moshoeshoe had the upper mitt inward the many smaller armed conflicts with the Boers inward the 1840s.
In the 1850s, the Basotho regular army on 3 occasions fifty-fifty defeated troops from the British colonial regime, piece high flush diplomacy saved Kingdom of Lesotho from a greater British attack.
The most challenging serial of conflicts nevertheless started inward 1858, as the Boers of the part had already established the independent Orange Free State on the northern borders of Lesotho. Moshoeshoe managed to defend Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to fifty-fifty raid Boer lands inward the 1858 war.
But inward the 1860s, the Boer province was growing stronger in addition to state of war luck turned. While the Boers never managed to pick out Moshoeshoe's stronghold at Thaba Bosiu, the Basotho manly someone monarch had to inquire the British Empire for assist inward both 1866 in addition to 1868.
During these British-led peace negotiations, Moshoeshoe had to cede Lesotho's most fertile territories - most of the lowlands - to the Orange Free State, in addition to the modern boundaries of Kingdom of Lesotho were shaped. Also, inward 1868, in addition to faced with a Boer annexation, Moshoeshoe asked Queen Victoria for assist in addition to protection, agreeing to his kingdom becoming a British protectorate.
While this may receive got seemed a capitulation of Lesotho's independence to the British Empire, indeed it secured the kingdom's long-term survival. Moshoeshoe had avoided annexation yesteryear the Boer states, in addition to after he died inward 1870, his successors victoriously continued the fighting against existence annexed yesteryear the arising province of South Africa. Through the lasting institute of a British crown colony, Kingdom of Lesotho did last as an autonomous kingdom in addition to avoided the experience of apartheid. In 1966, the Basotho thus regained their consummate independence.
Among historians, Moshoeshoe is recognised as ane of Africa's greatest leaders of his time, able to react decisively to extremely challenging conditions. Not only is he the nation-builder of the Basotho people, but he managed to protect his people against much stronger enemies in addition to create the institutions needed to consolidate his novel kingdom. Moshoeshoe's wisdom in addition to diplomatic skills secured Lesotho's long-term independence from the emerging strong Boer nation.
Among the Basotho, King Moshoeshoe is almost a mythical figure in addition to a source of lasting pride. His decease is silent commemorated on xi March every year, a national holiday. And his dynasty is silent inward might inward its Maseru palace, at nowadays as a constitutional monarchy real much available to the Basotho people.
Moshoeshoe is buried at his ancient stronghold of Thaba Bosiu, inward a breathtaking mountainous expanse that lets the visitor imagine how the manly someone monarch was able to defend his people against the many enemy armies. The imperial graves today are a pop excursion finish in addition to a goodness starting dot for trekking inward Lesotho's mountains.
Sources: E. Casalis (Les Bassoutos, 1859), D. Denoon & B. Nyeko (Southern Africa since 1800, 1992), R. Oliver & A. Atmore (Africa since 1800, 1981), J. Simensen (Afrikas historie, 1996), amid others.
http://www.afrol.com/features/35246
The History of the Basotho traditional blanket
Nowadays the Basotho tribal blanket (Seanamarena) is such a mutual sight inward Lesotho, that tourists tend to assume that it was a local invention. However, its origins tin can live traced dorsum to the European traders in addition to missionaries as far dorsum as the 1800s. The popularity in addition to assimilation of the blankets yesteryear the Basotho people tin can live traced dorsum to ane unmarried incident.
Sketch of King Moshoeshoe I yesteryear Eugène Casalis (1833)
A blanket was presented to the in addition to then King, King Moshoeshoe I inward 1860 yesteryear a adult man yesteryear the call of Mr. Howel. The King was yesteryear all accounts quite taken with the blanket (“a handsome railway wrapper made of low-cal blueish airplane pilot cloth, heavy in addition to hairy”) in addition to wore the blanket inward preference to his in addition to then neglected traditional leopard peel karosses.
The blanket has acquire component subdivision of non only their everyday life but as a status symbol. To outsiders it became a grade of ethnicity in addition to thence a token of cultural identification. In fact Kingdom of Lesotho is the only land S of the Sahara that illustrates the civilization of an entire land through such an individualistic item such as the tribal blanket.
Up to around 600 years agone furs, skins in addition to fifty-fifty dried grass were used to maintain out the mutual frigidity during the wintertime months. By 1860 it was becoming to a greater extent than hard to procure sufficient skins for Karosses in addition to yesteryear 1872 many of the old sheepskin covers had been replaced yesteryear crudely made cotton fiber or woollen blankets. Several historians in addition to writers refer to natural disasters, such as continual droughts in addition to the exceptionally mutual frigidity wintertime of 1902 (the neat snow), as good as the “Rinderpest” outbreak of 1897. These events depleted the wild in addition to domestic animals of Kingdom of Lesotho in addition to the disasters continued good into the twentieth century.
Badges of the Brave traditional blanket
The visible stripes on the blankets are known as “pin-stripes”. According to historical records these 1cm stripes originally came almost as a weavers fault. Instead of correcting this fault, the manufacturer shipped them with the “pin-stripe” which afterward became a traditional feature.
The traditional blankets differ from most modern blankets inward that they are almost exclusively made of wool (88% wool in addition to 12% cotton), hence their rougher in addition to firmer texture.
Ceremonial uses for Kingdom of Lesotho blankets
Although blanket styles receive got been dependent acre to exterior influences, they are silent to this 24-hour interval closely linked with the milestones of Basotho household unit of measurement life:
- Boys preparing for the circumcision ritual don a special fertility blanket known as amoholobela. After the ceremony he’s considered to receive got reached manhood, in addition to wears some other form of blanket, called the lekhokolo.
- On the occasion of his wedding, a adult man wears a motlotlehi, in addition to he presents his married adult woman with a serope when their get-go kid is born.
- Before her wedding day, a adult woman spends a neat bargain of fourth dimension trying on in addition to selecting blankets for her trousseau.
Basotho adult woman with the blankets (Seanamarena) on her shoulder wearing a chapeau (mokoroktlo) and wearing Seshoeshoe skirts
Women’s blankets are quite unlike to men’s – they are designed to live pinned over their bosom whereas the men pivot them to the right shoulder.
Basotho adult woman with the blankets (Seanamarena) on her shoulder wearing a chapeau (mokoroktlo) and wearing Seshoeshoe skirts
Women’s blankets are quite unlike to men’s – they are designed to live pinned over their bosom whereas the men pivot them to the right shoulder.
-There are also special occasions inward the Basotho’s national life where blankets symbolize the particular event. For instance, on Independence Day or National Tree Planting Day, a adult man of centre may article of apparel non ane but 3 blankets, namely the Torch blanket, aVictoria and a Sandringham.
Basotho adult man wearing an awesome cap of an beast skin
BASOTHO AND INTERPRETATION OF NAMES
Naming inward Sesotho is both a cultural in addition to linguistic phenomenon (Mohome
1972: 171). The important attached to names yesteryear Basotho, plays a important role
in the Definition of "personhood", because it is believed that a given call does
not only serve as an identity but also determines the type of someone the
individual volition be. Names are believed to receive got influence on the graphic symbol of the
bearer. There is a saying that refers to the influence of names on character:
Bitso lebe keseromo (literally, "a bad call is ominous"). Thus the names given
to individuals refer to historical events, experiences, emotions, status relations,
clan in addition to kinship relations, as good as authority. Ashton (1967: 32) has noted that
among Basotho, names are seldom chosen at random in addition to usually recall a
grandfather or other of import relation. Sometimes they commemorate an
important or unusual lawsuit or personage.
Naming a kid after kinsmen serves a religious (Monnig 1967: 338),
political, in addition to social function. Mohome posits that the scheme amid Basotho of
naming children after their paternal or maternal relatives serves to perpetuate the
names of ancestors, in addition to it brings grandparents in addition to grandchildren closer to one
another. Alternate generations of grandparents in addition to grandchildren are linked
together. It is also believed that the kid so-named volition inherit the virtues of his
grandparents. Religiously, to honour ancestral forces for their influence upon the
living, a kid is named after ane of them.
Setiloane (1975: 34) notes that amid Basotho "children are a gift of
badimo" (ancestors). Failure to conceive is attributed primarily to the disfavour
of badimo. Thus a kid who has been born a long time period after the woman parent has
been married is named Mpho (gift), Keneiloe (I receive got been given), and
Kelebogile (I am grateful). This ancestral human relationship is also epitomized yesteryear such
personal names as Oatile or Oagile (the household has been firmly built). And
when an elderly relative has late died in addition to a kid of the same sexual activity is born, it
may live said Oboile mo tseleng (he has returned on the road) in addition to is named
Tebello (expectation). And a kid who has been born after a long time period of
childless union or successive miscarriages, the lawsuit of a salubrious nascency is
celebrated yesteryear names such as Rethabile (Felicity), Lesebo (a gift from ancestors),
Keneuoe (for a girl).
The ideological construction of the role of Malome (Uncle) as a potential
political supporter inward succession disputes amid Basotho-Tswana agnatic
lineages is good documented inward anthropology (cf. Casalis 1861, Junod 1927, Lye
& Murray 1980). Junod observed, "the style of the Sotho scheme seems to
be to lessen the differences existing inward other tribes betwixt the father's family
and the mother's family" (quoted inward Lye & Murray 1980: 116). The father's
relatives in addition to mother's relatives are ofttimes non distinguished inward practice. In order
to foster this affinal human relationship in addition to the obligations associated with it, siblings,
junior sons in addition to daughters may also live named after their maternal kinsmen. It
should live noted, however, that non every agnatic kid is named after the
ancestor, nor is it implied that siblings are yesteryear rule, customarily named after their
maternal kinsmen. Cross-cousin matrilateral marriages are encouraged to further
galvanize the political alliance betwixt unlike agnatic families (Ashton 1967:
32; Lye & Murray 1980: 119). Often an elderberry kid is called yesteryear his/her mother's
marriage call (this is discussed below).
Basotho immature adult woman initiates
Children tin can also live named after a prominent or famous person, or a
neighbour, or after a midwife if the kid is a immature adult woman (Mohome 1972: 172; Ashton
1967). Names of prominent persons include those of erstwhile Basotho chiefs,
names such as Letsie, Seeiso, Bereng, Masopha, in addition to Molapo. These are found
mainly inward the Moshoeshoe household unit of measurement who constitute the chieftaincy of Basotho. For
instance, Masopha, the boy of the manly someone monarch in addition to founder of Basotho nation,
Moshoeshoe, is commonly given to Basotho boys. For Basotho the name
Masopha epitomised a important historical personality, since Moshoeshoe was
a daring in addition to courageous full general commanding the Basotho regular army against land
invasion yesteryear white settlers during the latter one-half of the 18th century. Masopha's
legend is also allegorized inward songs in addition to poesy sung in addition to recited during male
initiation rituals such as mokorotlo (initiation ritual dance).
Sometimes names are derived from non-relatives, names that are also
associated with important historical events at international in addition to regional levels.
For instance, Keisara (kaiser), Tjotje (King George), Jeremane (German), Setene
(Steyn), a Boer leader during the Anglo-Boer war) Prominent British
administrators such as Griffith in addition to Lugden receive got been commemorated inward some
of Moshoeshoe's leading descendants. Some names reverberate the separation of the
family members from the caput of the household owing to migratory labour to
the South African mines. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 kid born during the father's absence may live named
Join (father 'joined' the mine recruits"), Jubilee (named after the Diamond
Jubilee of 1897 or Silver Jubilee of 1935) (Ashton, 1967). These names of
prominent people in addition to historical events were formerly used inward estimating the
ages of their bearers who, inward most cases, may live illiterate in addition to without birth
records. Ideally to the private they may serve to promote a positive selfimage as ane was born during an of import lawsuit in addition to a critical time period in
Basotho history.
Similarly, to call children after events may serve psychological and
emotional needs of the society or family. When the nascency of a man child coincides with
a calamity that has befallen a family, he is named Kotsi (danger or accident) or
Tsietsi (accident), during an invasion of locusts that receive got destroyed planted
crops the names Tsie (locust), Sehlolo (disaster) may live used for boys. Often
people volition refer to an lawsuit whenever ane asks for their dates of birth. It could
be said that naming after events serves as a "recording" system. Therefore,
individuals embody the important associated with their names in addition to inward the process
try to live upwardly to the expected behaviour or personage that is dedicated to the
name. Some individuals go to the extent of bespeak elders almost the chronicle
associated with their call in addition to compose poetic recitals about the name. This
ingenious science is good demonstrated inward the compositions of initiation school
poetry called Lithoko in addition to during mokorotlo (traditional manly someone dance) yesteryear male
initiates in addition to elders respectively. Guma held that:
It is also truthful ... that private deeds of bravery on the component subdivision of a youth,
who did non yet belong to an established state of war machine regiment, could in addition to did
result inward such a ane composing praises for himself on the ground of his
manly deeds. (1983: 152).
A classical instance hither is that of Lepoqo who, as a youth, defeated the elderly
Ramonaheng in addition to and then praised himself as follows:
Ke nna Moshweshwe Moshwashwaila waha Kadi;
Lebeola le beotseng Ramonaheng ditedu;
Le ho hola ha di eso hole,
Di ya sala di hola maisao.
I am Moshweshwe, the hairdresser of Kadi's house,
The hairdresser who shaved Ramonaheng's beard.
It has non fifty-fifty grown yet,
It volition rest growing inward years to come.
(Guma 1983: 152)
It tin can live noted from this praise that the get-go thing that the reciter mentions is his
name, as if introducing himself to the gathering. This call may live his real
name or ane that he has acquired or coined for himself on the ground of his deeds.
Guma goes on to illustrate that the call of the private is expanded,
elaborated, in addition to interesting anecdotes almost "the self" given. Through this self
praise-poem the individual's entire life history is thus told inward a broad outline.
Those who know him may also fill upwardly inward the diverse details almost their own
understanding of his personhood/personage. Here the reciter may refer, for
instance to the build in addition to personal appearance of the private he is praising as
follows:
Kerefese ha ho motho a teng,
Le ka mahlo o ka mo thola hodimo
”Griffith is a real curt person,
One tin can easily overlook him “ (1983: 154)
Basotho girl
There are a serial of names that also correspond the socio-cultural, lived-in
experience. Names may announce repeated decease inward the same family, especially
that of children. Here the kid may live presented with a call that is expected to
have an opposite (meaning) termination from the literal important of the given name.
These are usually derived from nonhuman phenomena such as animals. From
animals such as Polomashwashe (alligator) the call Polo for a man child may be
derived, in addition to from Moselantja (dog), Moselantja (dog's tail) is used to call a
girl. This facial expression of lived-in experience through nature is extended to names
denoting an unusual nascency place; delayed birth; children born out of wedlock and
those of uncertain paternity; denoting patience, endurance or perseverance;
names referring to social disharmony such as inward Lekgotla (court of law);
problems or dissatisfaction with the bride-wealth or marriage; in addition to those names
which refer to personal qualities. These are some of the social experiences
which are embedded inward special names that are given to a kid depending on
what sexual activity the kid is.
Litsoejane - Girls Initiation School
The naming of twins falls also nether this category. Twins are usually called
by the same name, which inward most cases reflects the motion of joy in addition to anxiety
(Ashton 1967: 33; Mohome 1972: 178). They are regarded as a special gift from
the ancestors. The nascency of twins is believed to live an indication of fortune and
blessings endowed yesteryear ancestors upon the parents. On the other hand, twins are
believed to live fragile in addition to this results inward anxiety amid parents, as they are not
expected to hit adult historic time period without ane or the other dying. To insure their
survival, rituals, taboos are held in addition to observed respectively. Not only is the
mother looked after yesteryear the manly someone parent in addition to adjacent of kin, it is also customary to do
everything twofold to insure that the life of the twins volition live sustained. For
identical twins, the call of the twin delivered finally is ever inward the diminutive
form: names such as Mosemodi-Mosemotsane (legendary, important obscure) for
girls or Masilo-Masilonyane (legendary inward folktales, important obscure). Among
fraternal twins, names dot the sexual activity rather than monastic enjoin of birth. Here nosotros find
names such as Tabo (joy) a boy, in addition to Thabang (be happy) for a girl; Tshepo
(trust, hope) man child in addition to Tshepiso (promise) for the girl, amid others.
The arrival of missionaries during the 1800s inward Basutoland led to
fundamental transformations inward Basotho social life in addition to worldview. The primary
objective of the missionaries was to convert Basotho to Christianity. The
number of chiefs who were converted at the fourth dimension could evaluate an assessment
of the impact of missionaries; the introduction of formal education; in addition to yesteryear the
number of publications in addition to literary accounts yesteryear indigenous Sotho writers whose
works are silent read today. Concomitant to conversion was the introduction of
"Christian" names amid those who were baptised inward the church building in addition to to pupils
attending missionary schools. Children were given names derived from the
Bible to announce their newly acquired status, English linguistic communication names were also used inward this
fashion peculiarly for those who had to go in addition to piece of employment for European settler
families. They eventually adopted English linguistic communication names as 2nd names inward monastic enjoin to
avoid the derogatory modes of address so ofttimes used yesteryear Europeans at the time
such as "Sixpence" "Jim" or "Mary" (Ashton 1967).
The adoption of English linguistic communication names as consistent with Christianity was another
ploy yesteryear which missionaries divided Basotho society betwixt "Converts" and
"Non-Converts" (Majake le Majakane). The sons of those chiefs who accepted
conversion were baptised with names such as "Nehemiah", "Jeremiah" among
others. There was, of course of instruction resistance from other Chiefs who refused to be
converted in addition to were against the utilisation of English linguistic communication names argument that these names
were associated with unusual domination in addition to submission to a European god (cf.
Setiloane 1976: 130). Nevertheless, English linguistic communication names became identified with being
a Christian; existence civilized, existence a smart in addition to proper thing to have; in addition to a mark
of alteration inward status (Ashton 1967: 32; Guma 1983: 185). Alongside
Christianity, the adoption of European names yesteryear Basotho entrenched European
cultural hegemony, farther subordinating their cultural traditions to that of
Europeans.
4. TEKNONYMS AND TLHOMPHO CUSTOM
The utilisation of teknonymous names in addition to the Tlhompho custom are associated with
the union establishment inward Sotho society. Kunene (1958: 159) holds that "the
expression ho Tlhompho includes amid its meanings, "to respect, to honour".
It is ofttimes used to refer to a custom whereby honour is shown inward a conventional
manner to elders, authorities, senior relatives, in-laws, senior clan members
among others, inward the social life of Southern Sotho. But to a greater extent than specifically
Tlhompho refers to particular forms of behaviour inward which a newly wed is
expected "to avoid certainly words" pertaining to the in-laws' household. It is
taboo for a married adult woman to address her father-in-law yesteryear his get-go name, while
the same holds for the mother in law inward relation to her son-in-law’s call and
vice versa. Thus she must honour in addition to avoid (Tlhompho) the personal call of
her father-in-law in addition to of his kinsmen inward that category or status potency and
must telephone phone him yesteryear a special call (Ashton 1967: 76). In brief, teknonymous
names in addition to the Tlhompho customary names serve to address or refer to a person
by using the call of his or her child; they found avoidance rules between
affinal relationships yesteryear substituting the personal call with a given call or kin
term. Finally, they serve to avoid certainly words that are related or associated
with the father-in-law's personal call in addition to types of enjoined behaviour.
Among Basotho, union gives both men in addition to women a novel status inward society
with concomitant rights in addition to privileges (Ashton 1967). Added to this is the new
relationship that incorporates both the brace in addition to their families. Within this
relationship, a novel bride is usually given a teknonymous call so that the inlaws avoid addressing her or referring to her yesteryear her maiden call (Mohome
1972: 181). The hubby is expected to telephone phone her yesteryear this call peculiarly among
kin members or inward public. Sometimes the call becomes permanent as her
firstborn is usually given a call that volition gibe her teknonymous name. If, for
example, she is named Mmatshepo, her child, if it is a boy, may live named
Tshepo (trust). For a immature adult woman the call is dropped for ane that is suitable for a girl
such as Tshepiso (promise). Since Basotho are a patrilineal society, the majority
of teknonymous names given to novel brides are based on boy's names.
Similarly, when the adult woman gives nascency to her get-go child, she is at nowadays referred
to as "Mother of so-and-so", as inward Mme wa Pule, in addition to her hubby "Father of soand-so", as inward Ntate wa Pule (literally manly someone parent of Pule). The other construction in
which the prefix=s Ra- in addition to Mma- are affixed to the call of the child, for
example Rapule or Mmapule receive got no equivalent inward English, though Mohome
(1972: 181) suggests that the similarity could live derived from Irish Gaelic names such
as McCarthy, McKinney, amid others. It tin can also live added that in that location are also
abbreviated forms of linguistic constructions yesteryear which the adult woman in addition to her
husband are addressed, such as ntat'a Pule instead of Ntate wa Pule or Mm'a
Pule, instead of Mma wa Pule.
It is indeed inside this sociolinguistic phenomenon that the presentation of
"self", personhood" in addition to individuality tin can live discerned inward the utilisation of
teknonymous names inward Sotho society. Not only are these linguistic terms
associated with the commutation of names in addition to the enjoined behaviour at an adult
level, but also children are expected to utilisation the long cast of teknonymous labels.
For children to utilisation the curt cast is regarded as a sign of disrespect for an adult.
Children may utilisation teknonymous names only yesteryear farther adding classificatory kin
terms to them (Mohome 1972: 182). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Mosotho kid volition thence address or
refer to Rapule as ntate Rapule ('Father Rapule' or literally 'Father Father of
Pule'). Thus it tin can live argued that teknonyms amid Basotho receive got an added
function "the inculcation of honour for authority" (La Fontaine 1977: 432),
although it simultaneously distinguishes the private inward what Fortes (1973:
315) refers to as "a seat inward a scheme of social relations".
There is also attendant behaviour that is associated with the adoption of
teknonymous names betwixt the daughter-in-law in addition to her father-in-law
including her husband’s elderberry brother. About her behaviour toward the in-laws
Ashton notes that:
A daughter-in-law should ever live decorous in addition to modest inward the presence
of her father-in-law. She should maintain her trunk covered in addition to should not
suckle her babe or trip the low-cal fantastic toe the mokhibo inward his presence. Nor should she
remain inward a room solitary with him, sit down nigh him, swallow out of the same pot,
shake hands with him or inward whatever way touching him. She may create for him
and fifty-fifty spread his sleeping mats but should non launder his clothes to
touch his intimate property, such as saddle or gun. These rules are strictly
observed early on inward marriage, but are gradually relaxed as fourth dimension goes on.
(1967: 77).
In add-on to this behaviour she must avoid all words that are related to the
father-in-law's personal name. There are however, some variations amid the
clans as to a strict adherence to this taboo. Among BaKoena in addition to BaPhuthi, it
hardly extends beyond the father-in-law in addition to his brothers, whereas among
BaTlokoa it includes to a greater extent than distant relations as good as words occurring inward the
names of these relatives (Ashton 1967). As a termination newly weds receive got to acquire a
long listing of substitute words that invariably cast a 'sub-cultural' language. Her
personhood, amid other things, is determined yesteryear her sincerity inward learning these
words in addition to applying them inward her daily linguistic communication inside in addition to exterior the
household. Although in that location are no measure Tlhompho terms, in that location are some
universally recognized ones. The observance of this custom amid Southern
Sotho is interpreted as a sign of goodness upbringing (Kunene 1958: 165). The
woman's in-laws experience disgraced if she does non present her honour for them inward the
socially approved manner. It becomes a problem, though, when, for instance, at
a regime business office or Post Office when officials are to ascertain the call of an
individual who may live a pensioner in addition to the someone they are dealing with is not
supposed to pronounce such name. Ideally the utilisation of teknonymous names yesteryear the
woman, which, of course, is associated with deference toward senior men and
womenfolk, serves as ane of a number of social sanctions yesteryear which individual
personhood is evaluated in addition to invariably approved.
On the other hand, a man's human relationship with his in-laws is non as complex as
that of his wife. The adult man does non ofttimes come upwardly into contact with his in-laws, but
between him in addition to his mother in law similar 'avoidance' behaviour as that of a
man in addition to his daughter-in-law prevails. Before a adult man begets a child, his motherin-law addresses him yesteryear his kin term Mokgwenyana (son-in-law), piece she is
addressed in addition to referred to as Mme (mother) yesteryear him. The teknonymy "father of
so-and-so" volition live the cast of address yesteryear the mother in law as shortly as the sonin-law has a child. Sons-in-law also refer to their in-laws yesteryear using the kin terms
such as Mohwe, (father-in-law) in addition to Mohwehadi (mother-in-law). Similarly, a
man is supposed to address or refer to his son-in-law yesteryear the term Mokgwenyana
(son-in-law) or teknonymy in addition to non his name, the same applies to his daughterin-law who is addressed or referred to a Ngwetsi (daughter-in-law) or woman parent of
so-and-so. His in-laws do non give the son-in-law a teknonymous name, as it is
with the daughter-in-law. There are also kin terms yesteryear which the son-in-law
addresses his wife's brothers in addition to sisters so are (brother-in-law).
Finally nosotros volition consider the utilisation of names as presentation of 'self',
'personhood' in addition to 'individual' inward adolescent manly someone in addition to woman someone initiation rituals to
adulthood inward Basotho society. The notion of 'personhood', 'self' in addition to 'individual'
during initiation rituals is epitomized yesteryear the diverse call categories that are
assigned to the private initiates in addition to those that the adult participants give
themselves.
Names inward this context are classified according to status,
genealogical seniority, clan-name (among the Sotho clans), natural and
behavioural characteristics, personality attributes in addition to yesteryear praise-poems (lithoko).
The names given to the individuals should reverberate a combination of these
qualities in addition to their life histories. Here nosotros acquire both private in addition to world names, that
is, those names which are regarded as a clandestine of the initiation school
exclusively in addition to those which tin can live known yesteryear women in addition to children in addition to other
people at large through the recital of praise-poems at home.
Prior to the incorporation of Basotho to industrialization (monetary
economy) initiation names of the sons of chiefs transcended the confines of
initiation school. They were also used for naming age-group regiments. All
those who were initiated with him identified themselves as belonging to Chief
so-and-so son's regiment in addition to were called yesteryear his name, in addition to "it was regarded as a
great honour to live initiated with a Chief's son" (Kunene 1958: 184). Because of
the status element associated with the Chief's son's regiment name, older boys
would sometimes hold back to live circumcised with a chief's son.
Basotho women
For girl-initiates, names are formulated yesteryear attaching a prefix ra to nouns or
verbs as inward the instance of teknonymous names of parents. However, hither the name
does non receive got the same important such as "father of so-and-so". Here what is
conveyed are the qualities such as adeptness, speed, skilfulness, dexterity among
others. For instance, a immature adult woman initiate yesteryear the call of 'Ralebelo' (lebelo means
speed) is given this call because she is "the ane of speed". Another characteristic of
girls' initiate-names is that a bulk of their names are formed yesteryear adding the
prefix 'ra' to her maternal uncle's name. Mohome speculates that this custom
may live to honour the mother's blood brother who invariably plays a vital role inward the
life of his sister's children. Some of the names given to girls during initiation
include the following:
Ratsebo (Tsebo - knowledge)
Ramatla (Matla - strength)
Ramona (Mona - selfishness)
Ramatjato (Matjato - agility) (1958: 184).
Basotho girls inward initiation schoolhouse going thru initiation process
It should live noted that prior to initiation boys in addition to girls are non regarded as
accomplished 'persons' yet. They are addressed inward derogatory terms, in addition to called
mushimane (boy), ntja (dog) leqai in addition to girls or lethisa (brother-in-law of a
polecat), they are said to aroma similar billy-goats in addition to a Sus scrofa with litter of piglets
respectively. By existence at the initiation schoolhouse the initiate is no longer regarded
as a 'sub-human' or nonhuman being. Initiation is a transitional phase inward his or
her life that qualifies the initiate to live approved in addition to accepted as a human being
in the society. It is against this backdrop that the naming of initiates tin can be
understood.
Basotho River boy
In add-on to personal names Basotho receive got clan-names in addition to surnames.
During initiation rites the most of import call is the clan-name, which
invariably clarifies the status hierarchy of the private amid other initiates.
Whereas the clan-name determines the seat of the initiate, initiation names
serve as 'personhood' identifications in addition to as passwords to go inward the following
initiation lodge without hindrance. Among Basotho uninitiated persons are not
allowed to see the lodge. Thus names that are given at initiation schools
'remain behind' in addition to are used yesteryear those who are involved inward the initiation rites.
Female Basotho initiates
Following is an instance of this exercise inward ane of the Basotho groups.
Among Batlokoa, the Chief's sons Ba-lefe are preceded yesteryear a Tebele
(Ndebele) of the Sekhosana clan. Ashton (1967) in addition to Allenberger (1969)
maintain that this is done so that the letebele may shield his seniors from harm
and force upon himself the sorcery of their enemies. Not only is their
geneological in addition to clan seniority observed, but also the initiation names reflect
this relationship. The get-go initiate inward the line of piece of employment is named kokoptshe (the get-go one),
Moswephe (the finally one) in addition to intervening names such as Okantshufala (the black
one), Okapota (the circular one), Shohlo lamisitshi (lady's underwear). The latter
one is usually given to an initiate who used to live ever inward the fellowship of girls
prior to initiation. Initiates are non supposed to refer to or telephone phone ane some other by
their personal names that are used at home. Should ane forget another's initiate
name, the initiate refers to the other as mphato or thaka (fellow initiate or age
mate) in addition to it is through this teknonymous call that a bond of solidarity is
developed amid initiates.
A BaSotho initiate at HaMohlokaqala hamlet inward western Kingdom of Lesotho sings a vocal as he in addition to his peers prepare to render to society as men after undergoing a gruelling traditional 4 calendar month initiation physical care for December 10, 1999. The blankets they wore throughout the time period are gathered for washing inward front end of the hut - today they volition where novel blankets. (Greg Marinovich)
What is of primary importance, however, is the adoption of songs (koma) and
praise-poems (lithoko) as a medium to correspond the 'self', piece elders on the
other mitt communicate to the initiates what it is to live a Mosotho person. The
koma as embody the 'truth' during initiation yesteryear which the 'boy' is expected to
acquire manhood in addition to masculinity as against the normative childhood
association with 'womanhood' formalises this notion of Mosotho manhood and
personhood. Only when this association is severed yesteryear existence incorporated into
the 'manhood' status volition the man child live regarded as mature plenty to bear
responsibility. Some of the knowledge contained inward these songs is presented as
follows:
Modimo wa rona Our God
Modino wa borare God of our fathers,
O a utlwa: ... Thou hearest: ...
Thaka tsa me My friends
Hale nkutlwa na? Don't yous listen me?
Ke le Ruta thuto tsa molao I learn yous lessons of the law
Mo lao keo neheloe From my forebears
Ba itseng ho nna: Who said to me:
Hlokomela dikgomo Respect the Chiefs
Esita la e tla ba teng Even those silent to live born
E, metswalle yaka Yes, my friends,
Le ya mosallanyana Even the finally remaining one
O tla ba le sekgotho You volition receive got a son
Ha o ena le sekgotho When yous receive got a son
E tla ba sa motse oona ona He volition belong to this real same
village. (Guma 1983: 119).
Dithoko (praises), on the contrary, autumn into 3 categories, those of boy
initiates (Makolwame), animals (diphofolo) in addition to divine bones (ditaola), as well
as those of kings (Marena) in addition to warriors (diroki). For the purpose of this
discussion the focus volition live on man child initiates' praise poems (dithoko
tsamakolwane). These are primarily private initiate's compositions, which are
praises for themselves in addition to almost themselves. Every initiate has to give himself a
new call that he volition live publicly known as lekolwane (young initiated man)
(Guma 1983: 136) when he recites his praises. Like the names given to female
initiates, man child initiates' names refer to qualities such as strength, skillfulness
among others. Each lekolwane begins his praises with his novel name.
In his composition, the reciter may attribute admirable qualities unto himself,
identify himself with ferocious animals, force his imaginary build in addition to facial
features putting himself inward the best possible light. The reciter may also draw
from prevailing prejudices inward society much as betwixt traditionalists and
converts (Majakane). Individual life histories are also recited through this
medium of praise-poems. Sometimes they present familiarity with birds in addition to cattle
and disclose their experiences as workers inward European concerns. Below are some
of the names adopted yesteryear Makolwane to seat themselves during recitals:
ho hana (to refuse) - Lehana (one-who-refuses)
he nepa (to hitting on the target)- Lenepa (one who hits the target)
ho tlama (to bind) - Letlama (one who unites)
(Kunene 1958: 184).
Sometimes such names acquire so pop that they supersede the existent ones.
This was the instance with Lepoqo who became Letlama after initiation in addition to later
Moshweshwe (the founder of the Sotho nation). His historic time period grouping regiment was
known as Amatlama. The next praise-poems serve as examples of the
nature yesteryear which the 'self' or private is represented or portrayed through
initiation rituals inward Basotho society:
Mohlankana e Motshwana Lefeta
Mme mmangwane mosadi wa batho,
O tiise pelo s se ole moholo
Ditsietsi ha di maktse mosadi
Mosala le dikgutsana ha a hloname;
Ha hlonama di ya hodiswa ke mang?
Lefu le manyala nthong tsa batho
La nka ntate la ntshiya Shalabeng.
“A dark-complexioned immature man, Lefeta
Mother dear, thou piteous footling woman
The ane who remains with orphans, never sulks,
If she sulks, who volition pick out them up?
Death is evil inward human affairs,
It took my manly someone parent in addition to left me real far.”
(Guma 1983: 142).
source:
human face of lesotho
An xviii years old girl and her boyfriend(right) shows fashion clothes made yesteryear herself inward Kingdom of Lesotho Jul.26, 2001.
top mokuru | variety of grass | |
bobatsi | wild vegetable | Urtila dioica |
bonkhi | cannabis | Cannabis sativa |
borotho | variety of maize, broad in addition to soft | Zea mays |
harese | barley | Hordeum vulgare |
hlahla-se-maele | (literally a works life with tricks), cannabis, marijuana | Cannabis sativa |
hlaka-le-boea | (literally "the stem is hairy") Sesotho call for a variety of maize | |
inolula | variety of grass | |
khapumpu | medicinal plant | Albuca trichophylla |
kharetsana | aloe; a protected species inward Mohale | |
khonatha/ khonathi | Lotononis lanceolata | |
khomo ea fats'e | (literally, "the moo-cow of the ground") cannabis | Cannabis sativa |
kolitsana | variety of tree known for the character ofmelamu made from it | Rhus divaricata |
lehalesbere | variety of maize, strong in addition to hard | |
lengana | South African wormwood | Artemisia afra |
lipaile | wild vegetable | |
lensisi | lentils | |
lesoko | variety of plant | Alepidea amatymbica |
lesokoana | variety of plant; also stirring stick | Alepidea serrata |
lesuoane | variety of grass | Carex clavata |
lethepu | medicinal works life used to kill germs | Dierama igneum |
letsiri | variety of grass | Digitaria setifoloa |
likhare | aloe | |
lihoete | plant with an edible root | |
lipapasane | wild vegetables | |
liqobo | plural of qobo | Gunnera perpensa |
loli/leloli | plant used for weaving hats, ropes, mats | Dolichos angustifolia |
matekoane | cannabis | Cannabis sativa |
mantsa-tlala | (literally, "the expeller of hunger") variety of maize | |
mesea/mosea | grass used to weave brooms, mats | Danthonia drakenbergenis |
molula | variety of grass | Arundinella nepalensis |
manolo | Wahlenbergia | |
montsokoane | variety of plant | Asclepias stellifera |
monokotsoai | variety of berry | |
monakalali | cyprus ututatus | |
morarana oa mangope | black bindweed | Galium wittbergense |
motantsi | local plant | |
mputsoe | Shizoglossum biflorum | |
papasane | wild vegetable | Rorippa nudiuscula |
peo ea basali' | (literally, seed of women) works life used to care for infertility inward women | |
poho-tsehla | bitter wortel | Xysmabolium undulatum |
qhela | wild vegetable | Lepidium capense |
qobo | variety of plant | Gunnera perpensa |
rogo | variety of rye | Secale cereale |
roro/rohoroho | variety of grass used for roofing | Ficinia gracilis |
seoelioetla moelela | wild works life - real sugariness edible roots | Rhynchosia totta |
sepaile | plant | Sisymbrium thellungii |
seruoe | green vegetable | Chenopodium album |
sesepa-sa-linoha | (literally "soap of the snakes") | Albuca trichophylla |
taraputsoe | Stachys rugosa | |
thaane | variety of grass | |
theepe | cultivated dark-green vegetable | Amaranthus paniculatus |
thita-poho | variety of grass, large in addition to coarse, used for making brooms | Eragrostis gummiflua |
tsikitlane | variety of plant | Gazania krebsiana |
tsa bonkhi tsa bolelele | cannabis, poetic term | Cannabis sativa |
tse tala | cannabis | Cannabis sativa |
tsoetta | Dolichos angustifolia | |
 |
0 Response to "Info For You Lot Basotho People: Bantu People Amongst Unique Cultural Heritage"
Post a Comment