Skip to main content

About Lesotho

Most people have never heard of Lesotho and that is not very surprising, Lesotho is a very small country (comparable to the size of Belgium) and partly through South Africa. It is mostly unknown because of its inhospitable nature and the difficulty to reach the different areas of the country.
Lesotho is lovingly called “The Kingdom in the Sky” and for good reason! It is one of the highest countries in the world, with an average of 2160 meters above sea level. The highest point, the Thabana Ntlenyana mountain which funnily enough means “a little bit of happiness” towers 3,482 meters above sea level.
Lesotho has a rich history and was a refuge for many during the years of apartheid in South Africa.

De basotho stam

The Sotho people also known as the Basotho tribe are the indigenous people of the inhospitable Lesotho. In the caves you can find old drawings that tell the story of the Basotho tribe. They see themselves as guardians of nature and the Sotho people have been living off the land for many generations. Many of the people in the “kingdom in the sky” live in small rondavels, round huts made of mud and stone.
 
Many of the Basotho do not live in a fixed place, but choose to travel on horseback with their large herds through the mountains in search of green pastures for the cattle to graze. The country is so inhospitable that to this day much of the country can only be reached by horse. The Basotho are real horse masters and their love for the noble animals is great and something I inherited.
Among the Basotho people there is a clear code of honor, you help each other! Life in the high mountains is often times dangerous and supporting each other is not only necessary but it’s a matter of pride. In the tribe everyone has his own role, there is a shaman and a medicine man and a confidant, the Moitshepi. It is the job of the Moitshepi to listen and support when problems arise in the tribe.
Lesotho has a very rich weaving “industry” and every plaid tells a different story. Often a plaid or rug is made that fits the family history. The blankets and plaids made in Lesotho are appreciated far beyond the countries borders. Getting a plaid is an important moment in the life of young men and women. When they are young they wear a Moholobela plaid and when they become of age and after an initiation ceremony they are allowed to wear a Lekhokolo plaid. Many of the nomadic Basotho still wear these rugs to this day, especially when they are in the mountains where it can be quite cold.
The national symbol of Lesotho is the Mokorotlo also known as Basotho hat. It is a wicker braided hat that is worn by many people especially in the country side. This hat can also be seen on the country’s flag.

The Kingdom in the sky

Close Menu