Ethnos

Basotho

The Sotho-speaking people have lived in southern Africa since around 15th century. The Basotho nation emerged from the genius diplomacy of Moshoeshoe I who gathered together disparate clans of the sotho origin that had dispersed across southern Africa in the early nineteenth century.

The most significant role Moshoeshoe played as a diplomat was his acts of friendship towards his beaten enemies. He provided land and protection to various people and this strengthened the growing Basotho nation. His influence and followers grew with the integration of a number of refugees and victims of Mfecane.

By the latter part of the 1800s, Moshoeshoe established the nation of the Basotho. He was popularly known as Morena e Moholo/morena oa Basotho (Great chief/king of the Basotho). ***