30 day
Leribe to Semonkong
After breakfast we backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our accommodation to view evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden but usually the water levels are low enough o look at the Dinosaur Footprints. We leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers. These caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannabilism. We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages. Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history, We then drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch. This gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho. Mid afternoon we head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to the highland town of Semonkong. Dependant on weather and water levels, enjoy a lovely sunset over the Maletsunayne falls before checking into Semonkon
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oh no, our vehicle broke down and we’re going to spend the night in the wild.

https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/places-global-african-history/m…

discuss what you discover in the information and in the pictures. If you lived back then how would you handle cannibalism? Join in or become a vegetarian How did you cope with the breakdown and having to rough it over night.

Sorry it took so many pages to scroll through to get to Lesotho but it was interesting reading.

I learned the city of Maseru was founded in 1869 following the Free State-Basotho Wars between the Boers and the British. Boy the Brits were into everything at one time or another. ( my apologies if you’re a Brit but the truth is looking at the different countries so many did have British influence) Maseru was originally established as a small police camp by the British. Between 1871 and 1884, Lesotho was governed from the Cape Colony (present-day South Africa) and remained the administrative capital after Basutoland (current-day Lesotho) became a British colony in 1884. The small settlement survived being burned down during the Gun War of 1880-1881 between British forces and Basotho political leaders over the right of indigenous people to bear arms. The Basotho people won the conflict. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Maseru was a small settlement that consisted of a small number of colonial administrative buildings, a trading store, and several outlying villages. It later grew into a busy market town and it grew and grew. I believe it said over 200,000 maybe even more now since the article was written 2009.

We’re heading to Kome Caves, whoa the last time we were in caves we got tricked into smuggling opals. These actually are group of cave dwellings made out of mud in the district of Berea, Lesotho. The main purpose for the cave dwellings was to serve as a hideout from other Basotho people who had resorted to cannibalism during the drought in the late 18th century. The name of Ha Kome comes from the Kome family in the Basia tribe, the first inhabitants of the cave. Oh oh, we’re going to be dinner. Where’s that Norb or Charlie when we need them. Those boys are better smooth talkers than me.

This doesn’t sound or look good. The van we’re in won’t start. I look at my fellow squidders and squawkers and wonder what they’re thinking. I know what I’m thinking, I’m not going to be on the menu. All I can think of is the article I read 288,000 people fell victim to cannibals.

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2018/06/the-kome-cave-houses-and-cannibalism.html#…

Photo credit: Amada44/Wikimedia

I suggest we stay together in groups. The guide asked that we gather wood for the fire. Yikes, roasted body parts… I need to stop thinking the worst. Its going to be quite chilly tonight up in the mountains. I had to chuckle Sandy and Petra rubbing the sticks together. Thankfully one of the guides brought over dried grass and lit it with a cigarette lighter.

I had to admit once I shut my over-reactive mind off it was actually fun seeing the stars up above us while the guides sang songs and played these weird make shift instruments. I mean make shift, one took a hup cap of the vehicle another used a bucket, while another took a stick and bent it slightly with a string. He tied several more sections of string. They invited us to sing along. One thing for sure, our voices will never be good enough for Broadway but it was a lot of fun.

One guide returned with water for us to drink and some berries to go along with the snack bars we had brought with us. He mentioned he stumbled across several hikers that were heading back to Maseru, they promised to contact the police.

BCoF There’s some interesting people from Lesotho. Pretend you’re interviewing one of them, what questions would you ask? Give us at least 7 good questions. Don’t forget to mention how you handled the unexpected adventure after the vehicle broke down. Improvisation time.

http://countrylicious.com/lesotho/famous-people

See above, I definitely answered but now I have to really watch my snarky mouth so I don’t ask questions that might get me shot or worse eaten. Yeah, as you’ve probably guessed cannibalism makes me uncomfortable.

Oh my Thomas Mofolo is from this area. I can’t wait to ask him 1.) what made the Basotho turn to cannibalism 2.) Did people volunteer because of their age?

Cool I didn’t know Tsidii Le Loka the actress, vocalist and composer is from Lesotho. She is best known for originating the role of Rafiki in the original Broadway production of Disney’s stage musical, The Lion King.
That is just amazing. I have to ask 3.)what she thought of Manhattan? 4.) Did she like or dislike how the Big Apple never sleeps after living in Lesotho.

Wow, there who’s who listed just keeps getting better. I’m a huge fan of track, I love watching the Olympics. That’s when I first heard of this area when Mosito Lehata a Lesothan athlete, primarily known as a 100-meter runner. He is the current holder of the Lesothan record for the 100-meter at 10.33 seconds, and has consistently won the national track championships on shorter tracks. Isn’t that crazy. Unfortunately, Lehata was eliminated in the first round of the Men’s 200m event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Lehata found success in the 200 m event at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics when he finished in the first round ahead of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and advanced to the semifinals. It takes a lot to beat the Jamican sprinters. Just look at the New York and Boston Marathons. I would ask 5.) Why haven’t you competed in the NYC Marathon or the Boston Marathon? 6.) How do you think Covid-19 is affecting the athletes that would have competed this year? 7.) Will you be competing in the next Olympics or will you be too old?