Origins of Basuto Land

Lesotho Inhabitants Survive Tribal Wars and Raids

Mar 6, 2009

Lesotho is located in southern Africa. However, the country has not always been known as Lesotho. It was initially known as Basuto Land.

The original inhabitants of Lesotho were the hunter-gather people known as the san but commonly referred to as the Bushmen. These are people who were well known for they simple fact that they spoke in a way that sounded like they were clicking. Evidence that the Bushmen were the very inhabitant of what is today known as Lesotho can be found in river gorges in the form of painting and drawings. However, from the 1600s, Bantu people from other regions in Africa began arriving into Lesotho. These Bantus were running away from the tribal wars and raids in their original homes and Lesotho appeared like the best place to settle.

The Basotho Nation was born after chief Moshoeshoe brought together survivors of one such raid involving the Matabele and Zulu in 1818. They were to live in what was to be known as Basuto Land (today known as Lesotho). By establishing fortresses in the mountains, Moshoeshoe succeeded in uniting people most of whom spoke the Sotho language into a common region. Since, Moshoeshoe, because Lesotho has always had king at the realm, it has often been regarded as a kingdom.

Agriculture Plays Important Part in Region

It was under the leadership of Moshoeshoe that Basuto Land became popular in the 1830s. He allowed in French missionaries who then introduced education, modern agriculture and even medicine. Consequently, agriculture has been practiced in the country for a very long time. In the 1800s, Lesotho produced grain which was exported to other countries in the Southern African region. Even today, it is through agriculture that the Lesotho is able feed its population. More over, it is able to earn some foreign exchange from the grain exports.

In the 1800s, raids from Boers who hailed from the Orange Free State were a constant feature in Basuto land. Through the raids, the white settlers from the Orange State were able to capture huge tracts of land. Consequently, Moshoeshoe who was the leader of the country sought British protection. Still, it took a lot of time for the British to respond. However, they responded in 1868 and Basuto Land became a crown protectorate. Unfortunately, the founder of Basuto Land Moshoeshoe died in 1870. It was in 1871 when Basuto land was annexed to the Cape Colony by the British. This was despite open protests from the Basotho and the Boers. However, the Gun War fought between 1880 and 1881 freed Basuto Land from the Cape Colony.

Sotho Language

The names Lesotho and Basuto Land were borrowed from the Sotho language. This was the language that was spoken by the two groups, the Zulu and the Matabele who came together to form the country as it is today. The fact that most of the inhabitants of Lesotho speak the Sotho language makes it one of the most homogenous countries in the world today.

References

The copyright of the article Origins of Basuto Land in African Colonialism is owned by Kristin Peoples. Permission to republish Origins of Basuto Land in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.