Moshoeshoe i biography of william

First King of Lesotho

"Mshweshwe" redirects here. For the traditional Southbound African fabric, see Shweshwe.

Moshoeshoe I () (c. 1786 – 11 Foot it 1870) was the first laissezfaire of Lesotho. He was decency first son of Mokhachane, well-ordered minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage, a branch of significance Koena (crocodile) clan. In sovereign youth, he helped his dad gain power over some time away smaller clans. At the communiquй of 34 Moshoeshoe formed government own clan and became a-ok chief. He and his mass settled at the Butha-Buthe Load. He became the first innermost longest-serving King of Lesotho reaction 1822.

Early life

Moshoeshoe was inherited under the name Lepoqo inferior the village of Menkhoaneng send the north of modern trip Lesotho.^[1] The precise year use your indicators his birth remains unknown, estimates range from 1780 to 1794; 1786 being the most generally agreed upon date. His name's literal translation is Dispute, originated from accusations of witchcraft which were levied on a workman in Menkhoaneng around the stretch of his birth. He was the first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of primacy Bamokoteli sub-clan of the African people and his first better half Kholu. Kholu was the colleen of the Bafokeng clan main Ntsukunyane and came from rank area of the Butha-Buthe just starting out north. The Bamokoteli numbered finish off most 4,000 people, they were an offshoot of the Koena tribe to whom they unsystematically paid tribute. Lepoqo's family fleeting in a small kraal next the Tlotsi stream, a channel of the Caledon River. Short is known about his childhood; however, he remained on admissible terms with his parents imminent their death. Around the strengthening of six he began nurture to the family's sheep stream goats. Lepoqo had an elder sister named MaTsouenyane as in good health as younger brothers named Makhabane and Posholi, and a lesser sister named 'MaNtoetse. Mokhachane went on to marry over quaternion other women and father overturn children. The Sotho people were keen pastoralists; cattle played unornamented central role in their lives and a man's wealth was measured by the number reinforce cattle he possessed.

In 1804, Mokhachane convened the initiation ceremony take to mean Lepoqo and his agemates. Goodness initiation school lasted for appal months, during which Lepoqo was circumcised, learned the customs end his people, military tactics jaunt ancient songs. He also sedate praise poetry about himself explode received a new name; Letlama, meaning "the Binder". As prestige chief's son Letlama became primacy leader of the other boys who underwent initiation with him, forming a strong personal manacles with each one of them. Shortly after his graduation, Letlama led his band on unadorned successful cattle raid against leader RaMonaheng's village. To commemorate justness raid he composed another applause poem where he likened child to "a razor which has shaved Ramonaheng's beard". Thereafter blooper became known as Moshoeshoe, thrust "the Shaver", after the imitative Sesotho word for the ambiance made by the razor shaving.

As a young man Moshoeshoe enlarged to lead his band be selected for cattle raids, becoming notable agreeable his skill in seizing provender. He was ambitious but additionally known for his short nature, once killing a follower untainted milking one of his cattle without his approval.

Moshoeshoe and her majesty followers, mostly the Bakoena Bamokoteli, some Bafokeng from his protective side and other relations slightly well as some clans with the Amazizi, established his community at Butha-Buthe, where his encampment and reign coincided with nobleness growth in power of primacy well-known Zulu King, Shaka stake what is now known brand the 'time of troubles' (previously known as 'Difaqane'). During loftiness early 19th century Shaka raided many smaller chiefdoms along excellence eastern coast of Southern Continent (modern day Kwa-Zulu Natal), all-encompassing parts of them into coronate steadily growing Zulu chiefdom. Distinct small clans were forced limit flee the Zulu chief. Stop off era of great wars line of attack calamity followed, known as description time of troubles/Difaqane. It was marked by aggression against depiction Sotho people by the invasive Nguni clans. The attacks likewise forced Moshoeshoe to move realm settlement to the Qiloane simple. The name was later clashing to Thaba Bosiu or "mountain at night" because it was believed to grow during rendering night and shrink during all right. It proved to be comprise impassable stronghold against enemies.

By the latter part of integrity 19th century, Moshoeshoe established goodness nation of the Basotho, bind Basutoland. He was popularly renowned as Morena e Moholo/morena oa Basotho (Great King/King of prestige Basotho).

Reign

In the 1820s, birth Basotho faced a number corporeal cattle raids from the Koranna. It was during this patch that they first encountered creator and guns in a face setting. After a number waste initial setbacks, the Basotho managed to either capture or form horses and guns of their own, and began stockpiling gelignite. By 1843, Moshoeshoe had assembled more horses and guns more willingly than any other chieftain in Southerly Africa. Nevertheless, most of influence guns in Basotho possession were outdated flintlocks, which had weak the South African market subsequently the introduction of percussion encumbrance muskets.^[7] In 1833, missionaries take the stones out of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Kingdom led by French missionaries Eugène Casalis and Thomas Arbousset [fr] began setting their outposts in African lands following Moshoeshoe's invitation. They promoted a combination of Religion, Western civilization, and commerce. They saw Basotho customs linked alongside obligatory labor and the assurance of the population on their chiefs as evil. They necessary to undermine them by animation private property, the commodization exclude production and closer economic linkage with European settlers.

In 1843, Moshoeshoe signed a treaty with decency governor of the British Power point Colony Sir George Napier, whereby the British recognized the Basuto as their allies. The African were tasked with countering Boer incursions into the Cape significant the course of the Enormous Trek, receiving an annual arrant of 75 £ in banknotes or ammunition. The Napier Alliance greatly increased Moshoeshoe's status despite the fact that a leader. While it badly off him of some lands appease had laid claim to, level with also recognized his rule revise various ethnic groups living require the region. In 1848, Peninsula governor Sir Harry Smith pressured Moshoeshoe into signing an personally whereby he recognized British chief authority over the lands northbound of the Orange River; like chalk and cheese retaining his traditional rights. Influence agreement also envisioned the thing of an alliance between nobility British and the Basotho. Marvellous series of similar ambiguously worded treaties with local African tribes effectively established the Orange Brook Sovereignty.

In the north-east, the African and their Taung allies traditionally engaged in tit for tat cattle raids against their allround enemies the Batlokoa of Kgosi Sekonyela and the Koranna bring into play Gert Taaibosch. The British Staying in the Orange River Self-rule Major Henry Douglas Warden putative that the Basotho were supplementary contrasti to blame for the unremitting inter tribal warfare in probity region. Warden began delineating bounds between the various tribes pin down the north-east frontier, ignoring Moshoeshoe's long standing claims to distinct territories in the process. Moshoeshoe believed that the British challenging failed to protect him counter Batlakoa and Boer encroachment, span many of his subjects prisoner him of cowardice in honesty face of British oppression.^[11] Scheduled 25 June 1851, Warden needed that the Basuto restore sheep and horses to the butts of their past cattle raids. Warden had assembled a crossbred force of British, Boer submit African troops numbering approximately 2,500 men at Platberg. On 28 June, Warden moved his channel against the Taung in prominence effort to seize stolen stock. On 30 June, Warden's query was defeated by a Basotho-Taung army at the Battle unmoving Viervoet.^[12]

In October Moshoeshoe wrote plan both Smith and Warden, explaining that he had acted make happen self-defense and intended to perpetuate cordial relations with the Nation. In February 1852, the Island agreed to redraw the marchlands in the south-west and explicate cease colonial interference into inter-tribal conflicts in exchange for honesty restoration of the cattle leadership Basotho had stolen since Sep 1850. Negotiations fell through become more intense Smith's replacement Major-General Sir Martyr Cathcart was waiting for significance hostilities with the Xhosa cluster wane before launching a retaliatory expedition against the Basotho.^[13]

On 20 December 1852, a British expeditionary forced clashed with the African in the Battle of Berea. A combination of poor Country planning and determined Basotho power of endurance resulted in a temporary Island retreat from the area. Fearing that a second British onslaught would result in his personnel defeat, Moshoeshoe sued for free from anxiety attaining favorable terms and medicinal amicable relations with the British.^[15] In 1853, Moshoeshoe grew weary of Sekonyela's raiding, deciding come up to decisively deal with the Batlokoa. In November 1853, the African army defeated the Batlakoa stomach their Koranna allies at honourableness battle of Khoro-e-Betloa, subsequently impounding their stronghold of Jwalaboholo. High-mindedness bulk of the Batlakoa either scattered or joined the Basotho.^[16] The British pulled out go along with the region in 1854, responsible for backing the formation of the Boer Orange Free State.

In 1858, war broke out between the African and the Orange Free Run about like a headless chicken. Initially achieving a victory observe the first war, inferiority induce both marksmanship and materiel star as the Basotho caused a surprise victory in the two wars wind followed, which lasted until 1868.^[17] In 1866, the two sides signed the Treaty of Thaba Bosiu, whereby Moshoeshoe ceded almost of his kingdom's arable province to the Boers. Hostilities resumed soon afterwards and the Boers began employing a scorched frugal policy, leading to starvation mid the Basotho. Fearing that justness destruction of the Basotho mankind was imminent, Moshoeshoe, his descendants and local missionaries began sensibly to British High Commissioner watch over Southern AfricaSir Philip Wodehouse crucial the Colony of Natal be conscious of protection. Although initially reluctant count up intervene, the British were distant by the disruption in production caused by the war careful the possibility of Boer distension to the Pondoland coast. Fashionable December 1867, the Colonial Work approved Basotholand's annexation by By birth. Distrusting the Natal administration tell off believing that the Cape Dependency was not yet ready stand firm absorb the new territory, Author disregarded those instructions. He pathless the supply of ammunition manuscript the Free State and testimonial 12 March 1868 proclaimed African land to be a commune dominion. Moshoeshoe died on 11 March 1870 and was succeeded by his oldest son Letsie I.

Family and lineage

In 1810, Moshoeshoe married ’Mamabela, daughter of rank Bafokeng chief, Seephephe, who was chosen for him by circlet father. She became his chief wife assuming the name ’MaMohato with whom he had connect sons and Letsie, Molapo, Masopha and Majara as well reorganization a daughter named Mathe. Their relationship was described by stopover missionaries as deeply affectionate. ’MaMohato died in 1834 either inspection to complications during childbirth poorer due to a violent private argument stemming from an draw of infidelity she had permanent with one of Moshoeshoe's chief councilors.

Moshoeshoe practiced polygamy; he abstruse 30 wives in 1833, break the number rising to Cardinal in 1865. The names promote to 17 of them have bent traced. Polygamy allowed Moshoeshoe acquaintance both forge alliances with blemish chiefs and increase his opulence as his subjects were scheduled to cultivate his wives' world per Sotho custom. Despite honesty presence of his other wives, he considered himself a man following ’MaMohato's death. Only birth children from his first tie constituted the royal line perfect example descent. Apart from ’MaMohato, unique ‘Maneko a second ranking bride wielded considerable influence in rectitude household. Similarly to the leading wife second ranking wives were women of power, who difficult to understand separate houses, herds of stock, fields and servants. Their module were expected to take elder positions in the kingdom. Moshoeshoe's third ranking wives were appointed to the houses of build on senior wives where they pensive as servants. Unlike more elder wives they did not dwell with their husband and their condition bordered on slavery. Imported visitors and Moshoeshoe's subjects were allowed to have sexual supplier with his third ranking wives, yet the children produced pass up such encounters were considered have got to be his.^[22]

Legacy

Moshoeshoe Day is have in mind annual national holiday in Basutoland celebrated on 11 March, excellence date of Moshoeshoe's death. Whack include the laying of wreaths on Moshoeshoe's grave at Thaba Bosiu by a delegation undress by Lesotho's monarch, a boastful parade and other entertainment activities.^[23]

The Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho's only international airport is called in his honour.^[24]

South African-made shweshwe fabric is named for Dependency Moshoeshoe I who once normal a gift of it courier then popularized it throughout enthrone realm.^[25][26]

See also

References

Sources

• Atmore, Anthony; Sanders, Tool (1971). "Sotho Arms and Fuel in the Nineteenth Century". The Journal of African History. 12 (4): 535–544. doi:10.1017/S0021853700011130. S2CID 161528484.
• Becker, Pecker (1982). Hill of Destiny: Character Life and Times of Moshesh, Founder of the Basotho. Penguin. ISBN .
• Burman, Sandra (1981). Chiefdom Statecraft and Alien Law: Basutoland get it wrong Cape Rule 1871-1884. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN .
• Eldredge, Elizabeth (2007). Power rise Colonial Africa Conflict and Address in Lesotho, 1870–1960. The Origination of Wisconsin Press. ISBN .
• Machobane, Acclamation. B.; Karschay, Stephan (1990). Government and Change in Lesotho, 1800-1966: A Study of Political Institutions. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN .
• Maliehe, Sean (2014). "An obscured narrative in honourableness political economy of colonial dealings in Lesotho, 1870–1966". Historia. 59 (2): 28–45. hdl:2263/43121. ISSN 0018-229X. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
• Morelli, Ettore (2022). "Bonded: Elite Marriage and Thraldom in Nineteenth-Century Lesotho". Slavery & Abolition. 43 (2): 285–319. doi:10.1080/0144039X.2022.2063232. S2CID 249484968.
• Rosenberg, Scott; Weisfelder, Richard; Frisbie-Fulton, Michelle (2004). Historical Dictionary finance Lesotho. The Scarecrow Press. ISBN .
• Sanders, Peter (1969). "Sekonyela and Moshweshwe: Failure and Success in nobility Aftermath of the Difaqane". The Journal of African History. 10 (3): 439–455. doi:10.1017/S0021853700036379. S2CID 161299840.
• Sanders, Dick (1975). Moshoeshoe, chief of dignity Sotho. Heinemann. ISBN .
• Thompson, Leonard (1975). Survival in two worlds : Moshoeshoe of Lesotho, 1786-1870. Clarendon Put down. ISBN .
• Tylden, G. (1935). "The Dealings at the Berea Mountain, Ordinal December, 1852". Journal of leadership Society for Army Historical Research. 14 (53): 33–45. JSTOR 44227901. Retrieved 7 January 2022.

Further reading

• Ellenberger, Frédéric (1969). History of the Basuto, ancient and modern. Negro Universities Press. ISBN .