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

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CHAPTER 3<br />

HISTORIOGRAPHY OF BASOTHO ACCORDION MUSIC<br />

3.0 INTRODUCTION<br />

This chapter briefly discusses <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> Mosotho <strong>and</strong> Sesotho, overview <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Basotho music in general <strong>and</strong>, last, <strong>the</strong> origins <strong>and</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong> Basotho accordion music.<br />

In order to underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> concept Basotho accordion music, <strong>the</strong> researcher finds<br />

necessary to contextualise it by brief discussion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> concept Mostho <strong>and</strong> Sesotho.<br />

3.1 THE CONCEPT OF MOSOTHO AND SESOTHO<br />

Lesotho is a Sou<strong>the</strong>rn African country enclosed by <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> South Africa. Its<br />

population is currently estimated at 1.9 million (Population census: 2006) According to<br />

Ellenberger (1912) <strong>and</strong> Gill (1993), Lesotho was established around <strong>the</strong> years 1820s-<br />

1830s by <strong>the</strong> founder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Basotho nation, Moshoeshoe I. For one to have a better<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> Basotho <strong>and</strong> Sesotho, <strong>the</strong> following questions have to be asked <strong>and</strong><br />

answered:<br />

• What is a Mosotho?<br />

• Who is a Mosotho?<br />

• From where does <strong>the</strong> word Basotho originate?<br />

• What is Sesotho as a <strong>language</strong>?<br />

• What is Sesotho as a custom?<br />

• When do practices become a custom?<br />

• When does a Sesotho custom become a tradition?<br />

These are some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few questions for which, although <strong>of</strong>ten asked, it is difficult to<br />

provide convincing answers. The responses given below will only provide a general<br />

underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> possible answers. The response to who is a Mosotho, can best be<br />

given as anybody who is an African, who speaks Sesotho, belongs to a certain African<br />

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