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Morija Festival, Lesotho: Unity in Diversity
Posted by khethiwe qotyana on 22 March 2018, 10:35 SAST
Different festivals and celebrations from different places across the globe have different origins. Some are old with their roots steeped in ancient rites and mysticism passed down from generations to generations, while others are relatively modern; inspired by a yearning need to foster unity among the people by exploring their cultural heritage. The latter is responsible for the Morija Festival.
It all started at the turn of the millennium in early 1999 when the local community in Morija, a town in western Lesotho about 35km south of the national capital Maseru, enjoined the local museum to create a broad-based cultural event in the town. One of Lesotho’s most important historical and cultural sites, Morija is known as Selibeng sa Thut (Wellspring of Learning) and the first French Protestant mission was founded there in 1833.
Morija Museum & Archives
Officially opened in 1956, Morija Museum houses cultural treasures such as traditional Basotho artifacts, Lifaqane and Boer War memorabilia with a rich collection of 19th-century documentation in the archives section dating back to 1826. The museum was built to carry on the tradition of Morija as a center of learning, innovation, and excellence.
The Festival
Following the 1998 elections which resulted in a devastating political upheaval, the need for a platform to promote peace and unity, revive tourism while showcasing the country’s diverse cultural heritage was created. At the first edition of the festival in 1999, His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho advocated that the festival should further project Morija as a Wellspring of Culture.
