Lesotho

Discover Lesotho

Long before European eyes glimpsed its rugged peaks, the Basotho people, a Bantu ethnic group, inhabited this highland terrain. Their culture and way of life were inextricably linked with the mountains and valleys, where villages clung to the slopes.

In the early 19th century, the formidable Moshoeshoe I, a visionary leader, united various Basotho clans into a single kingdom, offering protection against regional conflicts and the encroachment of European colonizers. This period marked the founding of modern Lesotho.

The arrival of Europeans, notably the British, led to Lesotho's unique position within South Africa. Despite being encompassed by the British Cape Colony and later, the Union of South Africa, Lesotho maintained its autonomy.

In 1966, Lesotho gained full independence, becoming the Kingdom of Lesotho. The mountains, often referred to as the "Kingdom in the Sky," have provided both isolation and a cultural refuge for the Basotho people.

Nestled high in the Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho is renowned for its striking landscapes and traditional Basotho culture. Its history, marked by indigenous pride, British diplomacy, and modern challenges, is an integral part of its unique identity.

Source ChatGPT