Lesotho Music is one of the major aspects of the traditional culture of the people of this country. A majority of the Lesotho population comprise the African tribal people and the rural community, who inhabit the hilly regions. Music is an integral part of the Lesotho society and culture. The religious celebrations and festivities are always accompanied by music in Lesotho.
Traditional
Lesotho music is the essence of the culture of the nation. The traditional instruments that are used for creating various kinds of music in Lesotho include:
- Lekolulo which is a type of flute that is usually played by the herding boys
- Setolo-tolo, a kind of extended Jews Harp
- Thomo, a kind of stringed instrument that is played by women
Apart from traditional music, Lesotho music also includes church music and popular music. The choirs singing a variety of songs in the Sesotho language are very popular in Lesotho, especially in the villages and towns. International and South African music are also popular with the people of Lesotho. Radio stations in the country play AfroPop music, reggae, kwaito and jazz. Famo is another variation of Sesotho music, which is hugely popular among the citizens. The country also has a large number of musicians and singers.
One of the largest music festivals of the country is the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival, which is a grand cultural affair of Lesotho. First held in the year 1999, the Morija Arts and Cultural Festival basically aims towards bringing together the people the country. The Lesotho Music therefore acts as a medium to bridge the gap between the people of different ethnic groups and communities. The festival also acts as a kind of platform for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Sesotho and to encourage the small craftsellers and manufacturers.
