history and culture
The history of Lesotho makes for interesting reading and any visitor to the country is strongly advised to read up on this before paying the country a visit. What follows is a summary of Lesotho’s history and is included to give visitors an idea of this long History.
Lesotho’s history dates back to the 1800s when the Basotho nation was founded under the leader, Moshoeshoe. As a result of the wars that prevailed in the sub-continent, Moshoeshoe gathered his clan, the Bakuena (“People of the Crocodile”) in Butha Buthe and transferred them all to Thaba Bosiu. As this area was predominantly mountainous, the Basothos were able to defend themselves and have survived to this day. Unlike other chiefs in the sub-region (Shaka, Mzilikazi, Sekonyela, etc), Moshoeshoe was a peaceful and religious man, and instilled this in his people. He welcomed all who came to seek refuge in Thaba Bosiu, regardless of origin, and helped them establish themselves by offering them land where they could settle, and cattle and grain to help them kick-start start their livelihoods. Of course this was not popular amongst his own people. As the British moved into the region (1850s), Moshoeshoe forged a close relationship with them, rather than the ‘Dutch’, with whom there were often disputes over cattle and the ownership of land. The Basotho had no concept of boundaries or borders. He was seen as the ultimate diplomat, able to negotiate in disputes between his people, the Dutch and the British. As time went on, his relationship with the Dutch or ‘Boers’ (word in Dutch for farmer but used to describe the very same Dutch who were farmers in the Free State region of South Africa) soon improved. The situation between the three was such that war was inevitable and indeed it broke out in 1858 when the Free State declared was on the Basotho. Moshoeshoe decided to forge a closer alliance with the British under Queen Victoria, and that relationship between the Basothos and the British has prevailed until today. In the mid-1860s, the Basotho were again attacked by the Boers under President Brand. Although the war lasted a couple of years, once again it was stopped through the intervention of the British, which annexed Basotholand in 1868. King Moshoeshoe’s health had been failing him for some time and in 1870, he finally passed away. His grave was covered in a pile of rocks with a simple slab as his tombstone with only his name on it. This tombstone can still be found at the cemetery on the Mountain known as Thaba Bosiu. Basotholand was then effectively ruled by the British under various different administrations and governors for the next 70 – 80 years and only in the late 1950s did the first discussions on its independence. In 1960, Basotholand’s first written constitution was implemented and made operational. At this time, the then Prince Bereng Seeiso, son of Chief Seeiso who had been studying in the United Kingdom at Oxford University came back to Lesotho and was installed as Paramount Chief. Lesotho attained its independence in 1966. Prince Bereng Seeiso went on to become, His Majesty King Moshoeshoe II. The present king, King Letsie III is the first-born son of King Moshoeshoe, and is said to be a direct descendant of Moshoeshoe I. |
culture
Language
The nation language of Lesotho is Sesotho. English is however the official language in the country and it is spoken by most Basotho.
National Anthem
It is reported that the music of the national anthem of Lesotho was written by XXX in 18XX. The lyrics to the anthem were then penned by XXX in 19XX. A simple anthem, it speaks of the love of the Basothos for their country and their desire that God looks after it.
The lyrics of the national anthem in Sesotho are as follows:
Lesotho fatse la bontat'a rona,
Har'a mafatse le letle ke lona.
Ke moo re hlahileng,
Ke moo re holileng,
Rea la rata.
Molimo ak'u boloke Lesotho,
U felise lintoa le matsoenyeho.
Oho fatse lena,
La bontat'a rona,
Le be le khotso.
The lyrics of the national anthem, translated into English are as follows:
Lesotho, land of our Fathers,
You are the most beautiful country of all.
You give us birth,
In you we are reared
And you are dear to us.
Lord, we ask you to protect Lesotho.
Keep us free from conflict and tribulation
Oh, land of mine,
Land of our Fathers,
May you have peace.
The nation language of Lesotho is Sesotho. English is however the official language in the country and it is spoken by most Basotho.
National Anthem
It is reported that the music of the national anthem of Lesotho was written by XXX in 18XX. The lyrics to the anthem were then penned by XXX in 19XX. A simple anthem, it speaks of the love of the Basothos for their country and their desire that God looks after it.
The lyrics of the national anthem in Sesotho are as follows:
Lesotho fatse la bontat'a rona,
Har'a mafatse le letle ke lona.
Ke moo re hlahileng,
Ke moo re holileng,
Rea la rata.
Molimo ak'u boloke Lesotho,
U felise lintoa le matsoenyeho.
Oho fatse lena,
La bontat'a rona,
Le be le khotso.
The lyrics of the national anthem, translated into English are as follows:
Lesotho, land of our Fathers,
You are the most beautiful country of all.
You give us birth,
In you we are reared
And you are dear to us.
Lord, we ask you to protect Lesotho.
Keep us free from conflict and tribulation
Oh, land of mine,
Land of our Fathers,
May you have peace.