Lesotho: The Kingdom in the Sky Surrounded by South Africa
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Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa — an enclave nation that has existed as a separate political entity since the Basotho king Moshoeshoe I gathered his people on the mountain fortress of Thaba Bosiu in the 19th century and successfully defended them against Zulu, Boer, and British encroachment. The mountain kingdom survived when most Southern African chieftaincies did not, and the independence that resulted is embodied in the current kingdom's existence as an island of sovereignty within South Africa's borders.
The Basotho blanket — a thick wool blanket worn draped over the shoulders like a cloak — is the most visible symbol of Basotho identity, worn by men, women, and children in towns and villages across the country. The blankets are produced by the Aranda company in South Africa and come in specific patterns, each with its own name and meaning. Certain patterns are associated with royalty, others with particular life events. A young Basotho man receives his first blanket as part of his initiation. The blanket is not cold-weather gear. It is identity, worn.
Lesotho is the world's highest country — every point within its borders is above 1,000 metres, and most is above 1,800. The Maloti Mountains in the east rise above 3,000 metres and receive enough snow in winter for the Afriski resort — the only ski destination in southern Africa. The highland landscape is dramatic, green in summer and golden in winter, crossed by horses — the Basotho pony, a hardy breed developed in the highlands and used for transport in terrain too rough for vehicles.
