On The Write Path

Ho joang? Lesotho - day 2

Joale u phela joang?

The country is called Lesotho, the language is Sesotho, an individual is a Mosotho and the people are Basotho.

I might be tempted to see dinosaur footprints but I can do this in Montana. Cave people? that sounds interesting. Cannibals? As in who-eats-who? I'll stick to culture and interviewing people not eating them. (As for breaking down and getting stuck? 24 hours outside Abancay, Peru...in a bus. Been there.)

This is an incredible article: https://www.internationalcuisine.com/about-food-and-culture-of-lesotho/

Food

1. I would like to try the local foods. In this cold dry climate there doesn't seem to be anything too exotic. So... what do you eat and how do you make it? And may I have some...

2. How do you eat this and when? I grew up with special seasons and occasions and I suspect that would be the case here as well. And I won't assume that anything is done in a European way.

Clothing

Nien Hsing (Taiwan based) company spins yarn and makes denim in Maseru. There are textiles, blankets, rugs and tapestry makers.

3. Can I visit a textile plant? Meet and speak with someone who works in one?

4. Blankets ... the national dress is nothing without blankets. They were featured in Black Panther! I'd love to talk to someone who could explain them to me. How do I wear one? Could I buy one? (to use instead of a coat?)

5. Can I visit the weavers at Setsoto Design in Teyateyaneng?

Flora and Fauna

6. Lesotho is highland grasslands with few trees. Could I get to gardens like at Katse Dam or somewhere to see wild animals? "Together with the neighbouring uKhahlamba-Drakensberg in South Africa, the highlands of Lesotho form a hub of ancient floral biodiversity known to botanists as the Drakensberg Alpine Centre." As for animals, I'd settle for seeing a zebra, leopard or aardwolf... if any still exist here. But maybe: African wildcat, Baboon (Papio ursinus), Grey rhebuck, Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), Smith’s red rock rabbit (Pronolagus rupestris), Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis), Rock hyrax, Ice rat (endemic), Black backed jackal, Small grey mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta Basutica), Water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) or Striped polecat (zorilla) (icotonyx striatus). Who would I talk to and who could point them out? (Maliba Lodge - expensive)

Sesotho

7. The language has two tones. Why are they important? Can you help me hear and produce the difference? I'd ask to practice all the sounds like nn and mm and p versus ph and the click q.

Fun clicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM8kqcrFaTY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcCqVc6bmzU

Sesotho 101:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdA9h41yUP8

In parting:

Do not laugh at the snake because it walks on its belly.

If you are a flag, follow the wind.

A farmer who doesn’t work in the rain or under the sun has nothing to harvest at the end of the year.

GROUP

Blogging Circle of Friends   (E) A group for WDC bloggers. #1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

There's some interesting people from Lesotho. Pretend you're interviewing one of them, what questions would you ask? Give us at least 7 good questions. Don't forget to mention how you handled the unexpected adventure after the vehicle broke down. Improvisation time.

http://countrylicious.com/lesotho/famous-people

FORUM

30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS  (13+) WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus #1786069 by Fivesixer

Leribe to Semonkong
After breakfast we backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our accommodation to view evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden but usually the water levels are low enough o look at the Dinosaur Footprints. We leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers. These caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannabilism. We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages. Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history, We then drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch. This gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho. Mid afternoon we head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to the highland town of Semonkong. Dependant on weather and water levels, enjoy a lovely sunset over the Maletsunayne falls before checking into Semonkon
g.

oh no, our vehicle broke down and we're going to spend the night in the wild.

https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/places-global-african-history/m...

discuss what you discover in the information and in the pictures. If you lived back then how would you handle cannibalism? Join in or become a vegetarian How did you cope with the breakdown and having to rough it over

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