By: Kananelo Maphenchane

MASERU

As a modern youth, it is important for us to plan ahead and adapt to changes as the world becomes more connected through technology, but it is imperative still for us pause and reflect on our past and present, especially in terms of culture and traditional values.

In the 200 years of our existence, Basotho have gone through a myriad of changes, adapting and to the modern world as we know it. Our culture, shaped by our different struggles, triumphs, and everything else in between, has also gone through the changes.

Our very identity as Basotho is a remarkable testament of unity among the many tribes that came together to seek refuge from a common threat in the 19th century, and we have continued to stand united to date. Though we belong to different clans, to the outside world, we are known as Maapara-Kobo, because of our blanket wearing tradition.

First introduced in Lesotho as a gift to King Moshoeshoe I by a European trader only known as Mr. Howell, a blanket is now one of the most significant pieces of Basotho’s identity. Almost every homestead has at least one and delegates wear them on important international trips. Local designers have taken on creating new and exciting patterns for these blankets that are part of our national identity.

For many years, art has been a very significant part of our culture. In our architectural designs, women created what is known as Litema to adorn the outside of our thatched roof houses. The creativity that goes into making these is evident as there were many different designs inspired by stars/ planets, landscape and vegetation, appreciation of charity and beauty, weather and birds, insects, and many other factors according to a Basotho Traditions Indigenous Architecture and Creativity, written by Selemeng A. Mokorosi.

Today, while many people, especially those living in the rural areas, still live in thatched roof houses and create these patterns, we can appreciate the incorporation of thatched roofing into modern architectural designs, such as the Mokorotlong building at downtown Maseru.

The Lesotho music industry has also seen its fair share of cultural incorporation, widely evident in the Sesotho Fashioneng movement started by Ntate Stunna and his counterparts. We have seen hip hop as a genre get redefined, being called Sesotho hop and then Famo music becoming main stream among the youth. Young artists took hip hop, amapiano, and other musical genres, with Famo music, creating a whole new genre that took Lesotho and parts of South Africa by storm. Although it came out as an album, Sesotho Fashioneng has become a force to be reckoned with, transcending into portrait artistry and fashion.

“Sesotho Fashioneng is a big project. It’s bigger than me.”, says Ntate Stunna at the announcement of the 2024 Sesotho Fashioneng concert.

Artists like Sannere, who has seen incredible growth and delivered amazing perfomances in the last year, may be considered one of the most impactful musicians who strictly sing in Sesotho. What cannot go unmentioned is the performance attires of Manyarela, Thope Tse khang, Mme Puseletso Seema, Omali Themba, Mavele Thee Infinity, Citizen Ls and Sannere others, who are always seen with distinctly cultural outfits no matter where their performances are.

Although we are a constantly evolving nation, it is important to acknowledge that our culture has shaped who we are in the backdrop of constant feed of media from around the world. It has made it possible for us to stand out and proudly represent ourselves on international platforms. We still have a long way to go, but we should be proud of how far we have come.