Lesotho is a country in southern Africa that is completely surrounded by South Africa. Most people living in Lesotho are Basotho. The music of Lesotho combines different cultural traditions from various places, including influences from Bantu migrations, Basotho customs, and traditions from South Africa and Europe.

Traditional music and instruments

The traditional music and instruments of Lesotho are part of a shared cultural heritage among Southern African countries. It is unclear if these instruments were brought to Lesotho during the Bantu Migrations, created by San, Khoi, or other groups, or a mix of these influences. For example, musical bows seem to have existed before the Bantu arrived, but they became more complex after their arrival.

The lesiba is a type of musical bow that some experts call Lesotho's national instrument. It is the most popular traditional instrument in the country. It has a unique sound and is used in the music played during national news broadcasts. The origins of the lesiba are unknown, but it has been played in southern Africa for at least 400 years.

The lesiba is a bow that does not use a frame and is played by blowing air across a quill attached to its single string. The instrument is about 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) long. The neck can be made of wood or metal, and the string can be made of wire or sinew. Sound is created by blowing strongly across the quill, with the speed of the air affecting how fast the string vibrates. The lesiba was traditionally used by herdsmen, and different playing styles may have helped people identify each other's cattle or provide calming music for listeners. Although it is seen as a Basotho instrument, its music and players are not widely featured in Lesotho's music industry.

The thomo is a single-string bow with a gourd that makes the sound louder. It is traditionally played by young women. The gourd is placed on the player's chest, and the instrument may be played with or without singing. It is rarely used today, and the word "thomo" is now sometimes used to mean "piano."

The setolo-tolo is similar to the thomo, but instead of a gourd, the player's mouth acts as the resonating chamber. It has a bamboo or wooden tube, with rods on both ends connected by a bowstring. The musician plucks the string with one hand while holding the tube with their mouth and the other hand. The thomo is played by male musicians.

Other traditional instruments include the lekolilo, a type of flute; the lekope, a simple bow used to train players of the thomo; and the sekebeku, a jaw-harp.

20th century musical inventions

Two musical instruments became important in Basotho music during the 20th century: the koriana and the 'mamokhorong.

In the 1920s, the koriana (a word borrowed from the Sotho language for accordion or concertina) became a popular instrument in Lesotho. Although it is less than 100 years old, it is considered a traditional style because the songs are sung in the Sotho language. The koriana is often played with a drum to create a small musical group.

Koriana music developed as entertainment in small, unofficial bars (called shebeens) in the slums of northeastern South Africa. It mixed with other African urban music styles to form a blend known as marabi. In Lesotho, koriana-based marabi music became the basis for famo music (see below).

Koriana musicians became known for traveling far from home. Many began by playing in local bars and later performed at special events like weddings or ceremonies, often in distant places. This led to a saying in the Sotho language:

The 'mamokhorong (or sekhankula) is a newer instrument that also became popular. It was created around the same time as the koriana, in the 1930s. It is a long string instrument played while sitting. It has a curved wooden or metal rod connected to a tin can or similar object that helps make the sound louder. A wire is stretched from the end of the can to the far end of the rod. Music is made by drawing a bow across the wire, like playing a violin. The 'mamokhorong can be played with or without singing, and its music often follows a repeating pattern.

Popular music

In Lesotho, many types of music are commonly heard on the radio. These include sub-Saharan AfroPop, Sotho Hip-hop, RnB, Deep house, Soulful House, Dancehall, Jazz, kwaito, and reggae.

Famo music, which developed from koriana music, is the most well-known type of music in Lesotho today. The word "famo" comes from the phrase "ho re famo," which means "to flare one's nostrils." This phrase shows that famo music is energetic and competitive.

As famo music became more popular, it also became connected to gangs. At the same time, groups that controlled and protected Basotho workers in illegal South African mines (called zama zama) lived in the same towns as famo musicians. Over time, musicians began to form groups that competed for fans and radio play. Two famous famo performers, Chakela and Lekase, created rival groups called Terene and Seakhi. Later, the groups took sides in political issues, with Terene supporting the government and Seakhi supporting the opposition party in the late 2010s. In recent years, the groups have split into many smaller groups, and some conflicts have occurred within the Terene faction. In 2024, the Lesotho government banned certain famo groups as "terrorists" because of ongoing violence.

Vocal choirs that sing church music in Sesotho are also popular in Lesotho. These choirs range from traditional groups that sing without instruments to groups that mix gospel music with famo, jazz, hip-hop, and other styles.

Lesotho’s location inside South Africa means that many South African musicians are well-known there. Johannesburg, a major city in South Africa, has had a big influence on Lesotho’s music scene. For example, shebeens (small pubs in Johannesburg) helped start koriana music. Lesotho musicians often travel to South Africa to record and share their music because there are more resources there. However, during the late apartheid era, South African artists used Lesotho as a safe place to hold concerts.

Although music is popular in Lesotho, Basotho musicians rarely earn much money from their work. For example, Puseletso Seema, known as the "Queen of Famo," has not gained much financial benefit from her music. In 2024, the Lesotho government created a system where businesses must pay for using music in their work, and the money is given to the musicians.

Music festival

The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival is an important Sotho music festival. It is held every year and shows the dance and music of the Basotho people.

National anthem

The national anthem of Lesotho is called "Lesotho fatše la bo-ntat'a rona." The words of the anthem were written by missionaries François Coillard and Adolphe Mabille. The music was created by Ferdinand Samuel Laur in the 1820s. The anthem was officially chosen as Lesotho's national anthem in 1967.

Selected Basotho musicians

Notable Individuals and Groups
• Mosotho Chakela
• Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa
• Puseletso Seema
• Senyaka (rapper)
• Sotho Sounds
• Tsepo Tshola + Sankomota