Sotho

Sotho, in English often used to refer to the Basotho people or to the Sesotho language. The Basotho are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group in Southern Africa, concentrated in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and in South Africa's Free State and surrounding areas. Sesotho, or Southern Sotho, is the language most closely associated with the Basotho and is part of the Sotho-Tswana subgroup of the Bantu language family. The Sotho-Tswana languages also include Setswana (Tswana) and Northern Sotho (Sesotho sa Leboa).

Sesotho is one of the official languages of Lesotho and is also widely used in South Africa, where it is one of the country's 11 official languages. It is written in the Latin alphabet with a standardized orthography used in schooling, media, and government. The language has several regional varieties and is spoken by millions of people.

Historically, the Basotho emerged as a recognizable nation in the early 19th century, under leaders such as Moshoeshoe I, consolidating a centralized state at Thaba Bosiu. During the Mfecane era they expanded into present-day Lesotho and parts of South Africa. Lesotho became a British protectorate in the 19th century and gained independence in 1966; the country is a small, landlocked enclave completely surrounded by South Africa.

Culturally, Basotho society emphasizes family, community, and traditional leadership. The Basotho are known for the Basotho blanket and the Mokorotlo, a distinctive woven hat; music, dance, and handicrafts are important elements of social life. Today, Basotho people and the Sesotho language continue to play a central role in the cultural and linguistic landscape of southern Africa.