Arts, Culture and Sport

Lesotho’s Signature Basotho Blanket

The signature Basotho blanket is worn proudly by the people from Lesotho in their everyday lives and it embodies the rich culture and history of Lesotho.

Published

9 years ago

October 16, 2015

Ruvarashe Beta

Lesotho, the home of the Basotho, is a landlocked country encircled by South Africa. The signature Basotho blanket is part of the day to day life of Basotho people. The blanket embodies the long history of the country. What started as a gift to King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, has become part of their culture.

The combination of bold prints, symbols, colours and designs contribute to the uniqueness of the fabric. The blankets are made from wool and they are used as a status symbol on events such as initiation, marriage and birth. The Basotho (Sotho or Basuthu) people are also found in other countries such as Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana.