85-537: The Sotho ( / ˈ s uː t uː / ), also known as the Basotho ( / b æ ˈ s uː t uː / ), are a Sotho-Tswana ethnic group native to Southern Africa . They primarily inhabit the regions of Lesotho and South Africa . The ancestors of the Sotho people are believed to have originated from Northeast Africa, and migrated south in the fifth century CE. The Sotho people have split into different clans over time as
170-474: A Lebollo la banna , or a boy's initiation ceremony, boys wear a loincloth called a tshea as well as colorful blankets. These traditional outfits are often combined with more modern items, like sunglasses. Traditional Sotho healers wear the bandolier, which consists of strips and strings made of leather, sinew, or beads that form a cross on the chest. The bandolier often has pouches of potions attached to it for specific rituals or physical/spiritual protection. It
255-482: A wrap , and it can be used to carry infants on their backs. Special clothing is worn for special events like initiation rites and traditional healing ceremonies. For a Lebollo la basadi , or girl's initiation ceremony, girls wear a beaded waist wrap called a thethana that covers the waist, particularly the crotch area and part of the buttocks. They also wear gray blankets and goatskin skirts. These garments are worn by young girls and women, particularly virgins. For
340-509: A Basotho-Taung army at the Battle of Viervoet . In October Moshoeshoe wrote to both Smith and Warden, explaining that he had acted in self-defense and intended to maintain cordial relations with the British. In February 1852, the British agreed to redraw the boundaries in the south-west and to cease colonial interference into inter-tribal conflicts in exchange for the restoration of the cattle
425-400: A central role in their lives and a man's wealth was measured by the number of cattle he possessed. In 1804, Mokhachane convened the initiation ceremony for Lepoqo and his agemates. The initiation school lasted for six months, during which Lepoqo was circumcised, learned the customs of his people, military tactics and ancient songs. He also composed praise poetry about himself and received
510-417: A conical hat with a decorated knob at the top that is worn differently for men and women. The Basotho blanket is often worn over the shoulders or waist and protects the wearer against the cold. Although many Sotho people wear westernized clothing, often traditional garments are worn over them. Many Basotho who live in rural areas wear clothing that suits their lifestyles. For instance, boys who herd cattle in
595-830: A daily half-hour Sesotho bulletin. Both SABC and the eTV group produce a range of programs that feature some Sesotho dialogue. In Lesotho, the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service broadcasts to South Africa via satellite pay-TV provider, DStv . Most newspapers in Lesotho are written in Sesotho or both Sesotho and English. There are no fully fledged South African newspapers in Sesotho except for regional newsletters in QwaQwa , Fouriesburg , Ficksburg , and possibly other Free State towns. Currently,
680-625: A derogatory term used by the Swazi to refer to the Pedi in the 1400s. The Swazi called the Bapedi "Abashuntu" because they wore breechcloths made of animal skins tied in knots to cover their private parts. The word "Abashuntu" comes from the verb "uku shunta," which means "to make a knot." Despite the derogatory origins of the term, the Pedi adopted it with pride. They took the name with pride. Other Sotho-speaking groups who also wore breechcloths adopted
765-510: A dispute arose between two junior chiefs, the most senior chief closest to them would be invited to resolve it. Another important factor was that a senior chief or members of his clan could not be summoned to the Kgotla by a junior kgosi or clan member. An additional factor in this question of rank and seniority is that it was determined by birth and could not be changed; this means a chief born of minor status could not change his standing relative to
850-575: A dispute were to arise between any of the offshoot clans, like the Basia and Baphiti, then the Mmakau chief would be tasked with resolving it as their senior. The question of rank and seniority is one that is very important to the Sotho-Tswana. It determines a lot, from family relationships, to village matters to relationships between clans and between the different tribal groups. In a family situation,
935-572: A first language, though they are located mostly in the northern part of the province. Aside from Lesotho and South Africa, 60,000 people speak Silozi (a close relative of Sesotho) in Zambia . Additionally, a few Sesotho speakers reside in Botswana , Eswatini and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia . No official statistics on second language usage are available, but one conservative estimate of
SECTION 10
#17327729903371020-492: A leader. While it deprived him of some lands he had laid claim to, it also recognized his rule over various ethnic groups living in the region. In 1848, Cape governor Sir Harry Smith pressured Moshoeshoe into signing an agreement whereby he recognized British paramount authority over the lands north of the Orange River ; while retaining his traditional rights. The agreement also envisioned the creation of an alliance between
1105-682: A minor chief of the Bamokoteli sub-clan of the Basotho people and his first wife Kholu. Kholu was the daughter of the Bafokeng clan chief Ntsukunyane and came from the area of the Butha-Buthe further north. The Bamokoteli numbered at most 4,000 people, they were an offshoot of the Koena tribe to whom they regularly paid tribute. Lepoqo's family lived in a small kraal near the Tlotsi stream,
1190-618: A new name; Letlama, meaning "the Binder". As the chief's son Letlama became the leader of the other boys who underwent initiation with him, forming a strong personal bond with each one of them. Shortly after his graduation, Letlama led his band on a successful cattle raid against chief RaMonaheng's village. To commemorate the raid he composed another praise poem where he likened himself to "a razor which has shaved Ramonaheng's beard". Thereafter he became known as Moshoeshoe, meaning "the Shaver", after
1275-1087: A preference for dense and close settlements, as well as a tradition of large-scale building in stone. The group mainly consists of four clusters: the Southern Sotho (Sotho), the Northern Sotho (which consists of the Bapedi , the Balobedu and others), the Lozi , the Tswana and the Kgalakgadi . A fifth cluster is sometimes referred to as the Eastern Sotho and consists of the Pulana , Kgolokwe , Pai, and others. The Sotho-Tswana are said to contain some Khoe-San ancestry with levels as high as >20%. The Sotho-Tswana ethnic group derives its name from
1360-504: A result of the Mfecane (a series of wars and migrations that took place in the 19th century) and colonialism . There are 3 types of Basotho, Northern Sotho , Southern Sotho , Tswana people The British and the Boers ( Dutch descendants ) divided Sotho land amongst themselves in the late 19th century. Lesotho was created by the settlers in the 1869 Convention of Aliwal North following
1445-631: A significant period of change for the Sotho-Tswana territories due to the expansion of the Nguni people, known as the Mfecane. This expansion prompted local groups to consolidate and form the first states within the region. Notable among these emerging states were the Basotho, Bapedi, and Tswana. One group of Basotho, known as the Kololo , migrated extensively to the north and established their own state in what
1530-521: A temporary British retreat from the area. Fearing that a second British assault would result in his military defeat, Moshoeshoe sued for peace attaining favorable terms and restoring amicable relations with the British. In 1853, Moshoeshoe grew tired of Sekonyela's raiding, deciding to decisively deal with the Batlokoa. In November 1853, the Basotho army defeated the Batlakoa and their Koranna allies at
1615-400: A totem, which is usually an animal. Totems are inherited from the father and thus pass like an English surname. The totem animal had traditionally had a status of veneration and avoidance; in particular, it was important not to eat one's totem. In modern Sotho-Tswana society, this is not as strictly observed. Each morafe or sechaba had its own totem. When naming a clan, the name of the founder or
1700-553: A tributary of the Caledon River . Little is known about his childhood; however, he remained on good terms with his parents until their death. Around the age of six he began tending to the family's sheep and goats. Lepoqo had an older sister named MaTsouenyane as well as younger brothers named Makhabane and Posholi, and a younger sister named 'MaNtoetse. Mokhachane went on to marry over four other women and father other children. The Sotho people were keen pastoralists ; cattle played
1785-873: Is Catholic. The Southern Basotho's heartland is the Free State province in South Africa and neighboring Lesotho. Both of these largely rural areas have widespread poverty and underdevelopment. Many Sesotho speakers live in conditions of economic hardship, but people with access to land and steady employment may enjoy a higher standard of living. Landowners often participate in subsistence or small-scale commercial farming ventures. However, overgrazing and land mismanagement are growing problems. The allure of urban areas has not diminished, and internal migration continues today for many black people born in Lesotho and other Basotho heartlands. Generally, employment patterns among
SECTION 20
#17327729903371870-573: Is believed that the San people adopted this bandolier attire for healers during times when the Basotho and the San traded and developed ties through trade, marriage, and friendship. The San people's use of the bandolier can be seen in their rock paintings that date to the 1700s. Sotho-Tswana peoples The Sotho-Tswana, also known as the Sotho or Basotho , although the term is now closely associated with
1955-560: Is now South Africa by about 500 CE. Separation from the Batswana is assumed to have taken place by the 14th century. Some Basotho people split from the Nguni while others got assimilated into building the Nguni nation. By the 16th century, Iron-working was well established in Basotho communities alongside their Nguni neighbours. Basotho were mostly independent and relatively isolated up until this point in which they occasionally traded with
2040-646: Is now Zambia. During their rule, the language of the conquerors, Lozi, gained prominence in Zambia. Throughout the 19th century and into the middle of the 20th century, various African groups gradually migrated into the Sotho-Tswana territories, establishing settlements and states. Notable among these were the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. The British Empire later laid claim to these territories, resulting in conflicts with local populations. Eventually,
2125-547: Is the first language of 1.5 million people in Lesotho , or 85% of the population. It is one of the two official languages in Lesotho, the other being English. Lesotho enjoys one of Africa's highest literacy rates, with 59% of the adult population being literate, chiefly in Sesotho. Sesotho is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa . According to the 2011 South African National Census of 2011 , almost 4 million people speak Sesotho as their first language , including 62% of Free State inhabitants. Approximately 13.1% of
2210-510: Is to distinguish between the different clans and the various sub-clans below them. This means distinguishing between clans that share the same totem, like the crocodile, but are distinct, such as the Bapo, Bakwena, Bangwaketse, and Bafokeng of Phokeng. In distinguishing between subclans, an example is the Bakgatla, who separated into Bakgatla ba Kgafela and Bakgatla ba ga Mmakau over who should lead
2295-638: The Bafokeng chief, Seephephe, who was chosen for him by his father. She became his senior wife assuming the name ’MaMohato with whom he had four sons and Letsie , Molapo, Masopha and Majara as well as a daughter named Mathe. Their relationship was described by visiting missionaries as deeply affectionate. ’MaMohato died in 1834 either due to complications during childbirth or due to a violent domestic argument stemming from an act of infidelity she had committed with one of Moshoeshoe's main councilors. Moshoeshoe practiced polygamy , he had 30 wives in 1833, with
2380-560: The Paris Evangelical Missionary Society led by French missionaries Eugène Casalis and Thomas Arbousset [ fr ] began setting their outposts in Basotho lands following Moshoeshoe's invitation. They promoted a combination of Christianity, Western civilization, and commerce. They saw Basotho customs linked to obligatory labor and the dependence of the population on their chiefs as evil. They sought to undermine them by promoting private property,
2465-541: The Paris Evangelical Missionary Society provided the King with foreign affairs counsel and helped to facilitate the purchase of modern weapons. Aside from acting as state ministers, missionaries (primarily Casalis and Arbousset) played a vital role in delineating Sesotho orthography and printing Sesotho language materials between 1837 and 1855. The first Sesotho translation of the Bible appeared in 1878. In 1868, after losing
2550-471: The Southern Sotho peoples are a meta-ethnicity of Southern Africa . They are a large and diverse group of people who speak Sotho-Tswana languages . The group is predominantly found in Botswana , Lesotho , South Africa , and the western part of Zambia . Smaller groups can also be found in Namibia and Zimbabwe . The Sotho-Tswana people would have diversified into their current arrangement during
2635-546: The apartheid government to force Sesotho speakers to relocate to designated homelands had little effect on their settlement patterns. Large numbers of workers continued to leave the traditional areas of Black settlement. Women gravitated towards employment as agricultural or domestic workers while men typically found employment in the mining sector. In terms of religion, the central role that Christian missionaries played in helping Moshoeshoe I secure his kingdom helped to ensure widespread Basotho conversion to Christianity. Today,
Sotho people - Misplaced Pages Continue
2720-549: The onomatopoeic Sesotho word for the sound made by the razor shaving. As a young man Moshoeshoe continued to lead his band into cattle raids, becoming notable for his skill in seizing cattle. He was ambitious but also known for his short temper, once killing a follower for milking one of his cows without his approval. Moshoeshoe and his followers, mostly the Bakoena Bamokoteli, some Bafokeng from his maternal side and other relations as well as some clans including
2805-412: The seshweshwe , a traditional Basotho dress. The local traditional dresses are made using colored cloth and ribbon accents bordering each layer. Sotho women often purchase this material and have it designed in a style similar to West and East African dresses. Women often wrap a long print cloth or a small blanket around their waist, either as a skirt or as a second garment over it. This is commonly known as
2890-545: The Amazizi, established his village at Butha-Buthe, where his settlement and reign coincided with the growth in power of the well-known Zulu King, Shaka and what is now known as the 'time of troubles' (previously known as ' Difaqane '). During the early 19th century Shaka raided many smaller chiefdoms along the eastern coast of Southern Africa (modern day Kwa-Zulu Natal ), incorporating parts of them into his steadily growing Zulu chiefdom. Various small clans were forced to flee
2975-645: The Barolong and Bakgatla have mainly been dismissed; for example, some subclans of Bakgatla, like the Bakgatla ba GaMmakau, acknowledge the Bahurutshe as senior, while the BaKagatla ba ga Kgafela do not. In the case of the Barolong, the Batlhaping, who are an offshoot of the Barolong, acknowledge the Bahurutshe to be senior to the Barolong, while the Barolong do not. The Bafokeng maintain that their split from
3060-508: The Basotho caused a defeat in the two wars that followed, which lasted until 1868. In 1866, the two sides signed the Treaty of Thaba Bosiu , whereby Moshoeshoe ceded most of his kingdom's arable land to the Boers. Hostilities resumed soon afterwards and the Boers began employing a scorched earth policy, leading to starvation among the Basotho. Fearing that the destruction of the Basotho people
3145-455: The Basotho follow the same patterns as broader South African society. Historical factors cause unemployment among the Basotho and other Black South Africans to remain high. Percent of Sesotho speakers across South Africa: The language of the Basotho is referred to as Sesotho, less commonly known as Sesotho sa borwa . Some texts may refer to Sesotho as "Southern Sotho" to differentiate it from Northern Sotho , also called Sepedi. Sesotho
3230-491: The Basotho had stolen since September 1850. Negotiations fell through and Smith's replacement Major-General Sir George Cathcart was waiting for the hostilities with the Xhosa to wane before launching a punitive expedition against the Basotho. On 20 December 1852, a British expeditionary forced clashed with the Basotho in the Battle of Berea . A combination of poor British planning and determined Basotho resistance resulted in
3315-532: The Basotho kingdoms of the southern highveld. Universally praised as a skilled diplomat and strategist, he molded the disparate refugee groups escaping the Difaqane into a cohesive nation. His leadership allowed his small nation to survive the obstacles that destroyed other indigenous South African kingdoms during the 19th century, such as the Zulu Mfecane , the inward expansion of the voortrekkers and
3400-481: The Basotho managed to either capture or acquire horses and guns of their own, and began stockpiling gunpowder. By 1843, Moshoeshoe had accumulated more horses and guns than any other chieftain in South Africa. Nevertheless, most of the guns in Basotho possession were outdated flintlocks , which had flooded the South African market after the introduction of percussion lock muskets. In 1833, missionaries from
3485-413: The Basotho were more to blame for the continuous inter tribal warfare in the region. Warden began delineating borders between the various tribes in the north-east frontier, ignoring Moshoeshoe's long standing claims to several territories in the process. Moshoeshoe believed that the British had failed to protect him against Batlakoa and Boer encroachment, while many of his subjects accused him of cowardice in
Sotho people - Misplaced Pages Continue
3570-757: The British and the Basotho. A series of similar ambiguously worded treaties with local African tribes effectively established the Orange River Sovereignty . In the north-east, the Basotho and their Taung allies regularly engaged in tit for tat cattle raids against their old enemies the Batlokoa of Kgosi Sekonyela and the Koranna of Gert Taaibosch. The British Resident in the Orange River Sovereignty Major Henry Douglas Warden believed that
3655-466: The British defeated the indigenous African groups, and the areas under their control were divided among different territories. South Africa, Bechuanaland (now known as Botswana), Barotseland (now in Zambia), and Basutoland (now Lesotho) emerged as distinct geopolitical entities. This complex historical process shaped the cultural and political landscape of the Sotho-Tswana territories, contributing to
3740-654: The Kololo conquered Barotseland. At about the same time, the Boers began to encroach upon Basotho territory. After the Cape Colony was ceded to Britain at the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars , many farmers opted to leave the former Dutch colony in the Great Trek . They moved inland, where they eventually established independent polities. At the time of these developments, Moshoeshoe I gained control of
3825-461: The Natal administration and believing that the Cape Colony was not yet ready to absorb the new territory, Wodehouse disregarded those instructions. He blocked the supply of ammunition to the Free State and on 12 March 1868 proclaimed Basotho land to be a royal dominion. Moshoeshoe died on 11 March 1870 and was succeeded by his oldest son Letsie I . In 1810, Moshoeshoe married ’Mamabela, daughter of
3910-579: The Zulu chief. An era of great wars of calamity followed, known as the time of troubles/ Difaqane . It was marked by aggression against the Sotho people by the invading Nguni clans . The attacks also forced Moshoeshoe to move his settlement to the Qiloane plateau . The name was later changed to Thaba Bosiu or "mountain at night" because it was believed to grow during the night and shrink during day. It proved to be an impassable stronghold against enemies. By
3995-590: The animal they venerate could be used. An example is the Bahurutshe, named after the founder Mohurutshe; alternatively, they can also be called Batshweneng after the tshwene (baboon), which they venerate; similarly, Batlhako after the founder; or Batloung after the totem. For some clans, the name of the founder and their totem are the same, like the Bakwena and Bataung, where the founders were named Kwena (crocodile) and Tau (lion), respectively. An important distinction that needs to be made when discussing Sotho-Tswana clans
4080-504: The battle of Khoro-e-Betloa, subsequently seizing their stronghold of Jwalaboholo. The bulk of the Batlakoa either scattered or joined the Basotho. The British pulled out of the region in 1854, causing the formation of the Boer Orange Free State . In 1858, hostilities broke out between the Basotho and the Orange Free State. Initially achieving a victory in the first war, inferiority in both marksmanship and materiel of
4165-409: The bulk of Sesotho speakers practice a form of Christianity that blends elements of traditional Christian dogma with local, pre-Western beliefs. Modimo ("God") is viewed as a supreme being who cannot be approached by mortals. Ancestors are seen as intercessors between Modimo and the living, and their favor must be cultivated through worship and reverence. Officially, the majority of Lesotho's population
4250-483: The cash economy, Lesotho men often migrated to large cities in South Africa to find employment in the mining industry . Migrant workers from the Free State and Lesotho thus helped spread Sesotho to the urban areas of South Africa. It is generally agreed that migrant work harmed the family life of most Sesotho speakers because adults (primarily men) were required to leave their families behind in impoverished communities while they were employed in distant cities. Attempts by
4335-445: The children produced from such encounters were considered to be his. Moshoeshoe Day is an annual national holiday in Lesotho celebrated on 11 March, the date of Moshoeshoe's death. Celebrations include the laying of wreaths on Moshoeshoe's grave at Thaba Bosiu by a delegation led by Lesotho's monarch, a celebratory parade and other entertainment activities. The Moshoeshoe I International Airport , Lesotho's only international airport
SECTION 50
#17327729903374420-419: The clan. One faction defied the usual tradition of male leaders and acknowledged the female, Mmakau, as their kgosi. Those who supported Kgafela then broke away. Further offshoots from the Bakgatla are the Bakgatla ba Mmanaana, Bakgatla ba Mmakau, and Bakgatla ba Motsha, who all have the kgabo as their totem. The Bakgatla ba Mmakau would later give rise to Bapedi, BaKholokoe, Batlokwa, BaPhuti and Basia clans If
4505-675: The commodization of production and closer economic ties with European settlers. In 1843, Moshoeshoe signed a treaty with the governor of the British Cape Colony Sir George Napier , whereby the British recognized the Basuto as their allies. The Basotho were tasked with countering Boer incursions into the Cape during the course of the Great Trek , receiving an annual grant of 75 £ in money or ammunition. The Napier Treaty greatly increased Moshoeshoe's status as
4590-701: The conflict over land with Moshoeshoe I , the king of the Southern Sothos. The Southern Sotho of Lesotho's identity emerged from the creation of Lesotho by the British after the Boers defeated Moshoeshoe I in the Third Basotho War in 1868 and he asked the British for protection. Some of the Southern Sotho speakers who were not part of Moshoeshoe's kingdom when he united some of their tribesmen are living in Gauteng , while some are found in
4675-407: The core Sotho-Tswana body predated the split between Mohurutshe and Kwena, and therefore they are equal in status to the Bahurutshe, if not senior. These disputes over seniority and rank were driven by the quest for benefits and independence, a senior kgosi could demand a payment of tribute from a junior chief, and they could also summon a junior chief or member of his clan to kgotla for a hearing. If
4760-484: The course of the 2nd millennium, but they retain a number of linguistic and cultural characteristics that distinguish them from other Bantu-speakers of southern Africa. These are features such as totemism / diboko a pre-emptive right of men to marry their maternal cousins, and an architectural style characterized by a round hut with a conical thatch roof supported by wooden pillars on the outside. Other major distinguishing features included their dress of skin cloaks and
4845-527: The defense of the protectorate. In 1869, the British sponsored a process to demarcate the borders of Basutoland. While many clans had territory within Basutoland, large numbers of Sesotho speakers resided in areas allocated to the Orange Free State , the sovereign voortrekker republic that bordered the Basotho kingdom. King Moshoeshoe died two years later in 1870, after the end of war, and
4930-453: The face of British oppression. On 25 June 1851, Warden demanded that the Basuto restore cattle and horses to the victims of their past cattle raids. Warden had assembled a mixed force of British, Boer and African troops numbering approximately 2,500 men at Platberg. On 28 June, Warden moved his force against the Taung in an effort to seize stolen cattle. On 30 June, Warden's force was defeated by
5015-433: The formation of diverse states and the interaction between various ethnic groups. The term Basotho can be used to refer to the following: The term Tswana can be used to refer to one of the following: The term Northern Sotho can be used to refer to the following: The term Eastern Sotho can be used to refer to the following: The term Lozi can be used to refer to the following: In Sotho-Tswana society, each member has
5100-436: The issue of rank determines when a son will undergo initiation, or receive an inheritance. A further distinction is also made between the senior wife and the junior wife if a man is in a polygamous marriage. As the Sotho-Tswana lived in large villages, seniority and rank also played a part here. The chief's homestead is situated at the center of the village, and thereafter the other citizens are grouped according to rank, with
5185-509: The khoi people who in Sesotho(Southern Sotho) are known as Baroa. By the 15th century, the Sotho-Tswana people had begun to disperse throughout the southern Transvaal highveld . Over the next few centuries, the Sotho-Tswana people continued to disperse and form new chiefdoms. Unlike the Nguni people, who predominantly settled in coastal areas, the Sotho-Tswana found their home in the highlands of South Africa, specifically in
SECTION 60
#17327729903375270-478: The language is still relatively small. Sesotho has developed a sizable media presence since the end of apartheid . Lesedi FM is a 24-hour Sesotho radio station run by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), broadcasting solely in Sesotho. There are other regional radio stations throughout Lesotho and the Free State. Half-hour Sesotho news bulletins are broadcast daily on the SABC free-to-air channel SABC 2 . Independent TV broadcaster eTV also features
5355-405: The latter part of the 19th century, Moshoeshoe established the nation of the Basotho , in Basutoland . He was popularly known as Morena e Moholo/morena oa Basotho (Great King/King of the Basotho). In the 1820s, the Basotho faced a number of cattle raids from the Koranna . It was during this time that they first encountered horses and guns in a combat setting. After a number of initial setbacks,
5440-401: The mainstream South African magazine Bona includes Sesotho content. Since the codification of Sesotho orthography, literary works have been produced in Sesotho. Notable Sesotho-language literature includes Thomas Mofolo 's epic Chaka , which has been translated into several languages, including English and German. The Basotho have a unique traditional attire. This includes the mokorotlo ,
5525-410: The most junior members living the furthest from the village center. Inter and intra-clan relationships have been a question that has occupied the Sotho-Tswana since the split that occurred between the followers of Mohurutshe and Kwena. While it is generally accepted that the Hurutshe are the senior clan, some of the other clans have disputed this, mainly the Bafokeng, Barolong, and Bakgatla. The claims of
5610-469: The name of their leader as their identity, but naturally, in essence, every Batho/Bantu people is a Mosotho. The term Basotho is now used as a term of pride and unity for the Sotho people. It is a reminder of their shared history and culture and their determination to resist oppression. The ethnonym Batswana is thought to be an anantonym that comes from the meaning of the Sotho-Tswana word "tswa", which means "to come out of". The name would be derived from
5695-435: The number of people who speak Sesotho as a second (or later) language is 5 million. Sesotho is used in a range of educational settings, both as a subject of study and as a medium of instruction. It is used in its spoken and written forms in all spheres of education, from preschool to doctoral studies. However, the number of technical materials (e.g., in the fields of commerce, information technology, law, science, and math) in
5780-403: The number rising to 140 in 1865. The names of 17 of them have been traced. Polygamy allowed Moshoeshoe to both forge alliances with other chiefs and increase his wealth as his subjects were expected to cultivate his wives' field per Sotho custom. Despite the presence of his other wives, he considered himself a widower following ’MaMohato's death. Only the children from his first marriage constituted
5865-514: The other chiefs. This was mainly to discourage the split up of clans into further sub-clans and the buildup of clans through conquest and warfare. Politics Entertainment Sport 19, https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/77107 20. https://ia601506.us.archive.org/6/items/bantupastpresent00mole/bantupastpresent00mole.pdf 20 https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/9335117 . Moshoeshoe I Moshoeshoe I ( / m ʊ ˈ ʃ w ɛ ʃ w ɛ / ) ( c. 1786 – 11 March 1870)
5950-462: The people who belong to the various Sotho and Tswana clans that live in southern Africa. Historically, all members of the group were referred to as Sothos; the name is now exclusively applied to speakers of Southern Sotho who live mainly in Lesotho and the Free State province in South Africa, while Northern Sotho is reserved for Sotho speakers that inhabit north-eastern South Africa, predominantly in Limpopo . The term Basotho may have originated as
6035-427: The plans of the Colonial Office . In 1822, Moshoeshoe established the capital at Butha-Buthe , an easily defensible mountain in the northern Drakensberg mountain range, thus laying the foundations of the eventual Kingdom of Lesotho. His capital was later moved to Thaba Bosiu . To deal with the encroaching voortrekker groups, Moshoeshoe encouraged French missionary activity in his kingdom. Missionaries sent by
6120-542: The region known as the Highveld. This region is situated between the coastal lowlands to the east and south and the Kalahari Desert to the west. The Sotho-Tswana predominantly inhabited the highlands and steppes, resulting in a relatively lower population density than the Nguni. They were also less reliant on agriculture, instead practicing a mixed economy of farming, herding, and hunting. The 19th century marked
6205-457: The regions north of their homeland with external links that are described as "Sporadic and Marginal". By at least the 17th century CE, a series of Basotho kingdoms covered the southern portion of the African plateau (nowadays Free State Province and parts of Gauteng ), North West . Basotho society was highly decentralized, and organized on the basis of kraals , or extended clans, each of which
6290-650: The residents of Gauteng speak Sesotho as their first language. In the North West Province , 5% of the population speaks Sesotho as a first language, with a concentration of speakers in the Maboloka region. Three percent of Mpumalanga 's people speak Sesotho as their first language, with many speakers living in the Standerton area. Two percent of the residents of the Eastern Cape speak Sesotho as
6375-676: The royal line of descent. Apart from ’MaMohato, only ‘Maneko a second ranking wife wielded considerable influence in the household. Similarly to the principal wife second ranking wives were women of power, who had separate houses, herds of cattle, fields and servants. Their sons were expected to take important positions in the kingdom. Moshoeshoe's third ranking wives were assigned to the houses of more senior wives where they acted as servants. Unlike more senior wives they did not cohabit with their husband and their condition bordered on slavery. Foreign visitors and Moshoeshoe's subjects were allowed to have sexual relationships with his third ranking wives, yet
6460-464: The rural Free State and Lesotho wear the Basotho blanket and large rain boots ( gumboots ) as protection from the wet mountain terrain. Herd boys also often wear woolen balaclavas or caps year-round to protect their faces from cold temperatures and dusty winds. Basotho women usually wear skirts and long dresses in bright colors and patterns, as well as the traditional blankets around the waist. On special occasions like wedding celebrations, they wear
6545-487: The term as well, and it eventually came to be used to refer to all Sotho people. The Basotho name is thought to be derived from the word "sootho", "brown" , which means the ones with dark/brown melanin. "Ba sootho" directly translates to "They are brown". The use of the word has always been part of the vocabulary of the Sotho-Tswana nation. The word became ascribed to a specific people due to regional conflicts: different Bantu clans split from their ancestor clans and took
6630-529: The west of KwaZulu-Natal , the north of the Eastern Cape and most of the Free State province. In modern times, the Sotho continue to make significant contributions to South African and Lesotho societies. The Basotho nation is a mixture of Bantu-speaking clans that mixed with San people who already lived in Southern Africa when they arrived there. Bantu -speaking people had settled in what
6715-531: The western lowlands to the Boers during the Free State–Basotho Wars , Moshoeshoe successfully appealed to Queen Victoria to proclaim Basutoland (modern Lesotho ) a protectorate of Britain. Accordingly, the British administration was established in Maseru , the site of Lesotho's current capital. Local chieftains retained power over internal affairs, while Britain was responsible for foreign affairs and
6800-455: The word "Ba ba tswang" eventually shortened to the word Batswana meaning "The Separatists" or alternatively "the people who cannot hold together". One of the chief characteristics of the Sotho-Tswana clans is their tendency to break up and hive off. The Sotho-Tswana are a cultural and ethnic group whose ancestors arrived in Botswana and South Africa around 200–500 AD, they are descendents of
6885-483: Was born under the name Lepoqo in the village of Menkhoaneng in the north of modern day Lesotho . The precise year of his birth remains unknown, estimates range from 1780 to 1794; 1786 being the most commonly agreed upon date. His name's literal translation is Dispute, originated from accusations of witchcraft which were levied on a man in Menkhoaneng around the time of his birth. He was the first son of Mokhachane,
6970-514: Was buried at the summit of Thaba Bosiu. Britain's protection ensured that repeated attempts by the Orange Free State , and later the Republic of South Africa , to absorb part or all of Basutoland were unsuccessful. In 1966, Basutoland gained its independence from Britain, becoming the Kingdom of Lesotho . Sesotho is widely spoken throughout the subcontinent due to internal migration . To enter
7055-634: Was imminent, Moshoeshoe, his sons and local missionaries began appealing to British High Commissioner for Southern Africa Sir Philip Wodehouse and the Colony of Natal for protection. Although initially reluctant to intervene, the British were worried by the disruption in trade caused by the war and the possibility of Boer expansion to the Pondoland coast. In December 1867, the Colonial Office approved Basotholand's annexation by Natal. Distrusting
7140-632: Was ruled by its own chief. Chiefdoms were united into loose confederations . In the 1820s, refugees from the Zulu expansion under Shaka came into contact with the Basotho people residing on the highveld . In 1823, pressure caused one group of Basotho, the Kololo , to migrate north. They moved past the Okavango Swamp and across the Zambezi into Barotseland , (which is now part of Zambia , Angola , Zimbabwe , Botswana , and Namibia ). In 1845,
7225-569: Was the first king of Lesotho . He was the first son of Mokhachane , a minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage, a branch of the Koena (crocodile) clan. In his youth, he helped his father gain power over some other smaller clans. At the age of 34 Moshoeshoe formed his own clan and became a chief. He and his followers settled at the Butha-Buthe Mountain. He became the first and longest-serving King of Lesotho in 1822. Moshoeshoe
#336663