Moshoeshoe's ("Mo-shway-shway's) Day is one of Lesotho's most popular holidays. It has a rich history and is celebrated in lots of different fun ways. It was one of my favorite events I attended last year, and I am excited to go again next month!
Every year on March 11, the Basotho people celebrate Moshoeshoe's Day to honor their founder and first king, Moshoeshoe I!
Instead of going to school on Moshoeshoe's Day, all of the students in an area will meet up to participate in running races, perform cultural songs and dances and eat traditional Basotho food. My favorite part is watching the dances the students prepare! The girls do a traditional dance called Mokhibo ("Mo-hee-bo"), and the boys have fun performing a "Gum Boot Dance." They're hard to describe, so I will send your teacher some videos I took of my students!
Time for a quick Lesotho history lesson! King Moshoeshoe I was the first king of Lesotho. He lived from 1786 to 1870. In the early 1800s, there were wars going on all over southern Africa brought about by the rise of the Zulu kingdom led by a man called Shaka. Moshoeshoe I welcomed refugees from the wars into his tribe and united them to create the Basotho people. He led them up into the mountains of Lesotho where they would be safe.
