Christmas in Lesotho and the Mokorotlo

In the African kingdom of Lesotho, more than 95 percent of the people are Christian and both Christmas Day and Boxing Day are spent in similar fashions. The people of Lesotho do not work on those days, but spend the day attending church, singing traditional songs, and visiting family. Traditional foods served for Christmas celebrations in Lesotho are meats such as sheep or goat, papa (a stiff porridge similar to grits) and joala (a fermented alcoholic beverage made from hops, bread, or sorghum depending upon the style of joala being made). 

One of our favorite elements of the Lesotho Nativity Scene here at YonderStar is the mokorotlo, a straw hat that is the national symbol of Lesotho. 

Mokorolto Lesotho Nativity Hat

One of the three wisemen in the Lesotho Christmas nativity wears an authentic mokorotlo.

Lesotho Nativity Set

In addition to making an appearance in our nativity from Lesotho, the mokorotlo is displayed on the flag of Lesotho, Lesotho licence plates, and is worn to reflect national identity and pride.

Jun 14th 2020

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