Maseru - Culture

The Basotho people have developed a unique culture. As one of the few African tribes living in a mountainous environment, they have made many adaptations to their conditions. The Basotho blanket is one example. All around the country you will see people dressed in woolen blankets, often with beautiful patterns. This is the ideal garment for a cold environment, and also has the versatility of keeping the rain off. Villages are often located high in the mountains, usually on the mid-levels well above the deep river valleys and the flood dangers they carry. Villages are very structured. They are made up of a number of kraals, ie. a collection of buildings belonging to one family. Some are for sleeping, some for storage and one for cooking. Each kraal will also have an enclosure for livestock. Each village has a chief, or headman, who will fall under the chief for the area. 

The Basotho are agriculturalists. All around the village will be many fields and these are allocated by the chief to villagers. Many crops are cultivated including maize, wheat, sorghum, beans and peas as well as vegetables such as onions and cabbage. Many local herbs are also gathered as green vegetables, which the Basotho call Moroho.

Animals are very important in Basotho society. The Basotho pony represents the best form of transport in the mountains, and donkeys are often used as pack animals. Most families will have some cattle, and oxen are used to plough the sloping mountain fields. Wool is a major source of income both from Memo sheep and mohair from Angora goats, and you will see many herds of both deep in the mountains. They are looked after by shepherds, often young boys, who live in simple huts called motebo, often perched on ridges at well over 3000m and very well hidden.

Passing a village you will frequently see a flag flying from a tall pole. This indicates a place where something is being sold. A white flag means "joala", a locally brewed sorghum beer. Yellow means maize beer, red means meat and green means vegetables. With a land area of approximately 30,000 km² no part of the Country is below 1000 metres and much of the land consists of high mountains that reach their peak at Thabana-Ntlenyana, at 3,841m the highest point of Southern Africa. Because of the altitude, the climate is well described as invigorating. Clean mountain air, spectacular blue skies, and brilliant sunshine for more than 300 days each year provide a wonderful climate that will restore even the most jaded traveler.

Summer extends from November to January and is usually hot, while winter lasts from May to July and brings snow to the mountains (although snow can fall on the highest peaks at any time of the year). Autumn days are long and warm, and are great for hiking and pony-trekking, while in the springtime (about August) the mountains are covered with alpine flowers and the valleys are decked with peach blossom and mimosa.

The majestic Maluti Mountains and the spectacular Drakensberg Range (which Lesotho shares with South Africa), offer a magnificent backdrop to a near tropical destination that can provide a wide range of outdoor holiday activities.