National Subsets: Lesotho
Moral Contours
General
Economy
Education
Health
Human Rights
Military Strength + Weapons Exports
Religion
Sustainable Development
Historical figures
MOSHOESHOE
1786 - 1870
Lesotho
POLITICS, POLITICS
From an African tribal background, Mosheoshoe established the nation of Lesotho from the Basotho People with sufficient strength to resist its incorporation in Zulu expansion on the one hand and European dominated South Africa on the other. His lack of literary education did not hamper him Instead, his political realism and eirenic policy towards defeated enemies were effective, especially when combined with insights from both African traditional religion and Christianity. Molimo, the Sotho view of the High God was seen as identical to the God of the Bible. Polygamy remained acceptable but not the traditions of witchcraft. His charismatic leadership tradition now continues in the form of a constitutional monarchy.
Life