Lebollo (Basotho initiation)
By Tiisetso ‘Afrika’ Makhele
Opinion by Tiisetso ‘Afrika’ Makhele :The unprovoked assault on the tradition of Lebollo (Basotho initiation) is the reason why I shall never forgive the colonists, who came here uninvited, and yet sought to define how we should live.
After the sustained bullying of the Basotho and other African nations, the European colonists successfully turned the Africans against their beliefs and religious inclinations.
The natives, singing in chorus with the colonisers, insulted their herbs, medicine men and women, rituals and ceremonies.
Despite all these attempts, the colonists realised that one ritual remained stubborn, and they could not touch it. It was that of initiation into manhood and womanhood.
They then devised means to discredit this tradition. They coined derogatory terms, like ‘donker skool’, to create feelings of fear and anxiety, but failed dismally. This is because this is the foremost tradition of the Basotho and other nations.
Contemporary literature shows that Lebollo has very positive impacts on society. Marino, Makatsa and Obioha (2009), argue that Lebollo in Southern Africa provides initiates with “personality, character, values of loyalty, good mores, self-respect and hard-work”.
Lebollo is not responsible for our society’s ills. In fact, gangsterism, drug abuse and violence against women and children are the direct products of colonialism. These were not present before colonists arrived here.
It is not deniable that some abuse our traditions for selfish ends, but this is not unique to our lebollo. Churches have also been used by thugs and rascals for own ends.
It is also a fact that our colonists have applied efforts to use our people to fuel Black-on-Black violence, like in the case of the Marashea gangs. Lebollo is not to be blamed for the consequences of these colonist acts.
I love Lebollo with all my heart. I will defend Lebollo with my soul, even if it means losing the only soul I have. Lebollo is crucial to encourage Africans to love themselves, be loyal to their nation, and courageously protect one another.
Makhele is an African Marxist and a member of the ANC in Mangaung Region, Free State. He writes in his personal capacity
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