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The majority of Lesotho People belong to the Sotho ethnic group. The Sotho people comprise about 99.7% of the total population. Other ethnic groups forming the remaining 0.3% of the population of Lesotho include Europeans, Asians and people of other racial ancestry. The total population of Lesotho is approximately 2,125,262 as per 2007 count. The sex ratio in the country is estimated to be 956 males per 1000 females.
People of Lesotho are the descendants of the Sesotho-speaking tribes who settled down in the country in the remote past. Sesotho still remains the official language of the people. Along with Sesotho, English has also been adopted as an official language of the country. The official religion of the people of Lesotho is Christianity. However, there are some locals, who still follow traditional religious beliefs.
The majority of the people of Lesotho lives in its villages. The cities and towns of the country contain only 18% of its people, while the rest 82% live in villages. Family forms the basic unit of life in Lesotho. Villagers live in “kraals” or a group of buildings used by a single family. Village life is idyllic.
The Sotho people have a distinctive culture of their own, which has been carried down from the past. The national dress of Lesotho is Basotho blanket, worn by people of the country on social occasions. The conical Basotho hat also symbolizes the distinct culture of the country. Animals like ponies, donkeys, cattle and sheep form an important part of life in Lesotho. Ponies are the most common means of transport in the mountainous regions.
The chief occupations of the people of Lesotho are agriculture and cattle rearing. Chief crops grown by the people include wheat, maize, beans, peas as well as vegetables like cabbages and onions and different kinds of fruits. Chicken features as part of feasts arranged during special occasions. ‘Jaole’, a beer is brewed at homes and is used as the main alcoholic drink among the people.
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