When was the first Basotho blanket worn?

1897
The first Basotho blanket brand. It dates to 1897, one of the oldest trademarks around. The Basotho refer to the Victoria England as Lefitori.

Why do sothos wear blankets?

Loyalty and respect are deep-rooted in Basotho culture, and wearing blankets is not only functional but also serves to pay homage to their king, almost in a likeness of being manner.

What is a Basotho blanket called?

The Moholobela is a fertility blanket worn by young Sotho men in preparation of their transition to manhood.

What makes the Sotho culture unique?

They were mostly focused and based on great chiefs who led their people to victory during battles and wars. They’re also known as praise songs, and you can find within them descriptions of the origins, historical events and even a mention of mythical belief systems.

Where are Basotho blankets made?

Basotho blankets are not made in Lesotho, the tiny country for which the blankets are named. Originally produced in England, these woollen symbols of Basotho culture are now produced at Aranda, a factory/showroom in the South African town of Randfontein on Johannesburg’s West Rand.

How do Sotho celebrate?

The Basotho people celebrate the beginning of the year with different rituals, for instance Mokete wa lewa, in which celebrations commence after harvesting, to thank God and the ancestors for the food harvested. Mathabo Leeto, Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, attended this year’s event.

How do you wear a traditional blanket?

Hold the blanket with the correct side for your gender facing outwards. If you’re male, wear the darker side out. If you’re a female, the lighter side should be on the outside.

Where did the Basotho blanket originate?

However, its origins can be traced back to the European traders and missionaries as far back as the 1800s. The popularity and assimilation of the blankets by the Basotho people can be traced back to one single incident. A blanket was presented to the then King, King Moshoeshoe I in 1860 by a man by the name of Mr. Howel.

How did Moshoeshoe help the Basotho people?

Numerous tribes followed Moshoeshoe and headed further south into the country, seeking refuge at the unconquerable Thaba-Bosiu. Moshoeshoe accepted all those who had survived the attacks and was able to build the Basotho nation as we know it today.

What is the history of Moshoeshoe?

Also known as Moshesh, Mosheshwe or Mshweshwe. His name was allegedly changed from Lepoqo after a successful raid in which he had sheared the beards of his victims – the word ‘Moshoeshoe’ represented the sound of the shearing. In 1820 Moshoeshoe succeeded his father, Mokhacane, as the chief of the Bamokoteli.

What is the blanket of Lesotho culture?

Although the blanket had an identity much earlier on, it is with the present flourishing of Lesotho nationalism that this identity has now been cemented in Basotho culture. The prediction of the Basotho people that the “blanket will not stop” has come true.