Lesotho: Lesotho Art / Culture Profile

Traditional musical instruments include lekolulo, a kind of flute used by herding boys, setolo-tolo, played by men using their mouth, and the women's stringed thomo.

The national anthem of Lesotho is "Lesotho Fatše La Bo-ntata Rona," which literally translates into "Lesotho, Land Of Our Fathers."

The traditional style of housing in Lesotho is called a rondavel.

The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival is a prominent Sesotho arts and music festival. It is held annually in the historical town of Morija, where the first missionaries arrived in 1833.

National Anthem

The national anthem of Lesotho is "Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona". Written by François Coillard, a French missionary, it appears in the popular computer game "Sims 2: University" as the theme from a videogame console.

Traditional Instruments

Traditional musical instruments include lekolulo, a kind of flute played by herding boys, setolo-tolo, resembling an extended Jews Harp played by men using their mouth, and the women's stringed thomo.

Church Music

Vocal choirs, which sing church music in Sesotho, are extremely popular. These choirs are formed in villages, towns, churches, etc., and can be heard on the radio each evening.

Popular Music

As an enclave of South Africa, it is not surprising that South African musicians have a large following in Lesotho. Most frequently heard on the radio are various sub-Saharan AfroPop styles, jazz, kwaito, and reggae.

While South African music is generally enjoyed in Lesotho, there is a tremendous following for Famo (contemporary Sesotho music, which features the accordion and oil can drum). The music recording industry is nascent, but a lot of of the Basotho musicians sign with South African companies - undermining increase prospects.