SAEDNEWS: Lesotho is a landlocked country with no coastline. We want to get to know the culture of its people. Stay with Saad News.
According to SAEDNEWS, Lesotho, officially known as the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. Its capital is Maseru, and its official languages are English and Sesotho. Lesotho is a country surrounded by South Africa and has no borders with any other countries. Lesotho was a British colony and declared its independence on October 4, 1966. Today, it is considered a leading nation in terms of democracy. The currency of Lesotho is the loti, with the subunit being lisente. Many people from Lesotho work in South Africa. Lesotho is a member of both the Commonwealth and the African Union.
The original inhabitants of the area now known as Lesotho were the ancient hunter-gatherer people, known as the Bushmen (San). Examples of their rock art can be found in the mountains throughout the region. Lesotho, previously known as Basutoland, became a British protectorate in 1843 under a treaty between the British and the local indigenous leader, Moshoeshoe. In 1871, it became a British colony, and in 1884 it came directly under the control of the British monarchy. On October 4, 1966, Basutoland officially gained independence from Britain and became Lesotho, with Moshoeshoe II as the King.
99.7% of the people of Lesotho are of Sotho descent, with less than 0.3% being of European or Asian origin. Around 80% of the population are Christians, and 20% follow traditional beliefs. Both Sesotho and English are the official languages. According to the 1999 census, the population of Lesotho is estimated to be over 2 million, with a growth rate of 1.8%. The Basotho tribe constitutes more than 90% of the population, with the remainder being of Indian, European, and mixed descent. English is widely used in business and education.
Women generally wear long dresses and skirts in vibrant colors, often with a blanket tied around their waist. For special occasions (such as church or weddings), they wear traditional Basotho attire called "seshoeshoe." Seshoeshoe comes in a variety of patterns and colors. For women, it is recommended to wear jeans, shorts, dresses, and skirts, with a bit more moderation than usual. For men, wearing trousers and casual pants is acceptable. Many people wear warm hats when it is cold and sun hats when it is warmer. The Basotho people are also known for wearing a traditional conical hat called "mokorotlo," which both men and women typically wear.
Independence Day: The people of Lesotho celebrate Independence Day on October 4, which marks the day Lesotho declared independence from Britain.
Moshoeshoe Day: Moshoeshoe Day (March 11) is celebrated in honor of the founder of the nation, Moshoeshoe. On this day, many people gather in Maseru, dressed in colorful traditional clothing, and march from the royal palace to the Sotho stadium. You will see women carrying large bundles of wood and men riding horses or performing traditional dances. Military and police parades also take place in the Sotho stadium.
The staple food of Lesotho is "pap-pap" or "papa," a cornmeal porridge that is often topped with a thick sauce made from peas, vegetables, or a protein like beans or peas. Tubers, roots, potatoes, and wild spinach are widely used. Cabbage, peas, pumpkins, and sugar beans are commonly grown in family gardens. Seasonal fruits such as peaches, plums, apples, apricots, and pears become common during the warmer months. Walnuts are also harvested as a food source.
Grains: Maize and wheat are grown by most families for their daily needs to reduce the cost of imported food. While maize is ground into flour for pap-pap, wheat is used to make bread, which is cooked in large pots greased with beef fat or mutton fat, or made into "makoenya," a homemade fried cake similar to a donut.
Meat: Chicken is occasionally added to vegetable stews served with pap-pap. Sheep and goats are mainly raised for wool but are eaten on special occasions. The rivers of the country are abundant in fresh fish. Beef is the most important meat in Lesotho, and cattle are considered a primary indicator of wealth. Households are built around cattle pens, and cows are also used in wedding and funeral celebrations.
Beverages: Tea is often served with fried cakes. Beer, which is brewed both for local consumption and export, is the drink of choice for many families. Women grind the grain, mix it with water, and brew it over an open fire. After fermentation, the beer is filtered. The leftover grain is pressed to extract the final drop of alcohol. The resulting brew contains low levels of alcohol.
Lesotho is a flat and smooth terrain entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Its elevation is over 1,000 meters above sea level. The country is divided into four main regions: lowlands, foothills, mountainous areas, and the Senqu River valley.
