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Lesotho

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The little kingdom, high in the mountains, is completely landlocked by South Africa. The Drakensberg mountain range forms the natural border in the North and East. Even the lowest point is situated more than 1.000 m above sea level. As a result the climate is cool with high rainfall in the mountains.
Although Lesotho is known to be quite poor there is one natural resource in abundance: water! Income is also generated by delivering water to South Africa.

Lesotho is an surprising combination of rapidly developing modernity and ancient cultures. Visitors can discover breathtaking mountain sceneries, on foot or on horse back (Basotho Ponies). Come and enjoy the special atmosphere on top of Southern Africa!
Although traditional Basotho culture changed due to contact with the rest of the world much remains and the old festivals and rites are still celebrated. As in all cultures, the milestones of birth, puberty, marriage and death are associated with ceremonies. Cattle, both as sacrifices and as symbols of status, play an important role in village culture, as does the cultivation of crops and the vagaries of the weather.

Music and dance play their part in traditional culture, both on ceremonial occasions and in everyday life. There are various kinds of special musical instruments, from the flute-like lekolulo, played by herd-boys, to the stringed thomo, played mainly by women and the setolo-tolo, a stringed instrument played with the mouth by men.

Much of traditional Basotho culture is associated with avoiding misfortune, and reflects the grim realities of life in a marginal agricultural region. It's not all serious, though: a rainmaking ritual ends with the theft of a wooden cooking utensil by a gang of young women, and a game of 'keepings-off'.

The only connection from Lesotho into KwaZulu-Natal the Sani Pass (4x4) was named after chief Tsani who used to live at the entrance to the mountain pass. The pass started as a path for horses to transport goods.

The one and only National Park, Sehlabathebe, is in the Eastern Part of Lesotho and offers a breathtaking mountain scenery.

(image: Sani Pass)

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