I met an Ntate (sir/gentleman) on my way home one day and after getting talking he asked me how long I had been in Lesotho. When I told him I’d been here a month he asked my Basotho name. He was shocked to hear that I hadn’t been given one yet - so he took it on himself to name me. ‘Malikhetho (Pro. Ma-d-cath-o) ‘Mother of elections’ because I arrived the time of the elections and it all went down peacefully!
In Lesotho a person is given a Basotho name at birth. This name is normally the felling of the parents when they have their child. Because of this people will be called
Loreto – Love,
Mpho – gift,
Ndeshipanda – to be grateful for what you see,
Motsoall – Friend, the list goes on….. This idea is taken quite literally and one of the teachers I work with named her child
‘BabyK’ this is slang for crazy child!
After a mother has given birth she has to spend three months inside with the child. For no reason are they to come out of the house (normally the grandmothers). Then they are brought out for all to see - normally when they are baptized and get there Christian name. Most people go by there Basotho name but some are so long and complicated that they stick with their Christian names. Most people will introduce themselves to me with there Christian name, but will never answer to it. And other people don’t know them by this name, so it becomes difficult and I normally just end up getting the Basotho name and pronouncing it wrong!
I’m very proud to be given a Basotho name. I don’t know how much I’ll use it though!
So I'm in Bloemfountain........where the internet's quick enought to up load photos! This is one of my students - happy drawing a picture while he's ment to be studing!
