Rural Village Dwellings Tour

The Basotho people are warm and hospitable and as a rule are happy to share glimpses of their traditional life with the visitor, who, as a courtesy, should first approach a village headman or chief before engaging villagers.

Activities in Rural Areas:

Visiting the local community and getting a glimpse of how they do things.

Interacting with villagers

Visiting local schools

Visiting the village chiefs

Homestays

Local choirs

Explore More About Basotho People:

Most of the inhabitants of Lesotho are Basotho and speak the national language Sesotho, although nearly all speak excellent English.

Although many Basotho still live and work outside their Country, their attachment to their local village and traditional culture is still strong. The family is still the dominant unit, and respect for the elder generation is important. Basotho culture is centered around village life, and most traditions and festivals relate to local village life and the seasons of the year.

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 of the area.

The Basotho are agriculturalists. All around the village will be many fields and these are allocated by the chief to the 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 plow 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.