Analysis of the language techniques and thematic - University of the ...

with immoral behaviour, Basotho began to identify theseleves with it, accepting the
music as it reflected their culture, as highlighted by Coplan (1995:258). In it, they felt
that their language, customs and beliefs were retained and propagated. Based on the
change of attitude, the famo music was renamed `mino oa koriana (accordion music).
There are two reasons for this change of name. One was that, the accordion, as a musical
instrument played a major role, as it was only accompanied by the home-made drum. The
second reason was that it had its own special and acceptable taste, and had to be
distinguished from famo which was associated with immorality. The accordion music
was welcomed with respect as opposed to the famo which was meant for the commercial
business of prostitution.
The years 1980 –1985 could be referred to as the larva stage where a few groups began to
organize themselves and recorded their albums. Some of these groups were Tau-ea-
Linare, Tau-ea-Thaba, Lilala-tsa-Sekhonyana and Mahosana a ka Phamong.
Currently, this music has won the hearts and sympathy of most Basotho.
The period 1985 – 2005 marks the increased production of the Basotho accordion music
and the proliferation of artists in great numbers. One observes that, in each and every
district, there are accordion music artists. This period has seen fast growing numbers of
accordion music artists throughout Lesotho to the extent that it is difficult to give the
specific number of artists in the country. Since 1980-1985, when there were about 15
artists who had recorded cassettes, the numbers have grown to over 200 in 2005. It could
also be said that the change of attitude led to its high rate of production. Not only that,
but it was seen as one way of generating income in order to alleviate poverty. One might
also indicate that the rate of unemployment during 1980-2005 was increasing at an
alarming rate and as a result it also contributed to wide production of this music. Some
artists had to resort to the production of accordion music in order to meet their economic
needs. For instance, in 1987, about 10,000 Basotho miners lost their jobs after a National
Union Mineworker’s national strike (Teba, Lesotho 2005). Again, since 1990, there has
been a drastic decline in the numbers of Basotho mine workers working in the Republic
of South Africa due to retrenchment. The total number of workers has gone down from
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