For L we decided to go obscure and very small. To the “Mountain Kingdom” that is one of only three countries to be completely landlocked by another country and one of the few constitutionally monarchies left in the world: Lesotho!

Before this week, we knew close to nothing about this tiny speck of a country surrounded by South Africa, but we learned a lot! This interesting country started as a refuge for several tribes that were fleeing from the takeover of the Zulu tribe back in the 1800s. It eventually became a British protectorate and eventually became its own country in 1966.

Despite being so tiny, they have there own unique culture and dress (or rather, err, blankets), and while relatively poor by the world’s standards, they have one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, with the women actually more literate than the men!

For more info on Lesotho you can read this handy sheet: LESOTHO.

And here are some more interested facts about Lesotho:

• The lowest point above sea level in Lesotho is 1500 meters, making it the country
  with the highest low point in the world.
• The life expectancy is just 53 years old, so nearly two-thirds of the population is under 30 years old.
• The Katse Dam is the highest dam in Africa (the surface reaches 2050 meters when at 100% full) and with 185 meters is the second largest dam wall in Africa.
• Diamonds are the only mineral produced in LeSotho

FOOD

Breakfast

It was difficult to find what exactly they eat for Breakfast in Lesotho. But, with the British influence there were a few treats for tea and dessert, so we decided to go with those. Eating them along side the famous Rooibus Tea of Lesotho and South Africa.

Makoevna – These were delicious!! Kind of like cinnamon donut holes, but so much better! We will definitely be making them again.

Yogurt and Honey – To dip the Makoevnas in but they didn’t need much

Rooibus Tea

Dinner

Since Lesotho is so poor, meat (mostly beef) is only eaten on very special occasions. So we decided to go with a traditional everyday Basotho (that’s the adjective instead of LeSoth-ian) meal!

Butha-Buthe (Spinach and Tangerine Soup) – A combination I would not think to make but along with split peas and some onions and seasoning, this is quite tasty!

Chakalaka – A very flavorful combination chopped vegetables fried up for a while. We added a little African curry powder for a little kick

Pap-Pap – A staple food in LeSotho. Basically a firmer version of cornmeal grits.

CULTURE

As noted, Lesotho has a culture unique to its tiny area. And one way you can clearly tell a  Basotho is by their dress – a very distinct blanket wrapped around them along and
perhaps even a straw cone like hat. These blankets have even attracted worldwide attention. In fact, this past summer Louis Vuitton made headlines with a Basotho blanket and similar patterned shirt on the runway!

So we decided to make blankets of our own, but simply drawing on patterns rather than

weaving anything. We checked out this website: Basotho Blankets,  and learned that the lines on the blankets symbolize prosperity. Also many blankets have symbols of corn along with the traditional looking LeSotho warrior symbol.

We’ll see you after Christmas for M is for Mauritius !!!