Music of Lesotho

Music of Lesotho is a compilation by Bill Wood from recordings made between 1972 and 1975, when Wood was teaching at a secondary school in the Mafeteng District of Lesotho. The music in this recording excludes religious and choral music in favor of the traditional repertoire of the Basotho people. Wood observes that, while traditional culture is very strong, “new songs in traditional style are being composed all the time.” The male students at the school where Wood taught perform, and selections cover a range of styles and subjects (initiation, dance and game songs, improvised poetry, and more). Liner notes include lyrics in Sesotho (one of Lesotho’s two official languages), English translations, photos, information about Lesotho’s history and culture, as well as Wood’s personal reflections on his experience recording the album.

Track Listing

101	Lekoa e khele banna - Hey, in the Valle, You Men	Joseph Mojalefa Manare	02:25
102	Tsoana li malente - They Are Carrying Malente	Male singers	02:48
103	Marashea	Bernard Nteka	01:53
104	Bona Maseiboko - Bona Mase Boko - Look at the Goats	Francis Lesako	02:12
105	Oa cho sekubethe - You Say Sekubethe	Albert Makutoane	03:16
106	Hae nkong tsa malimo - Hey, Under the Cannibal's Noses	Albert Makutoane	02:12
107	He shebang koana - Hey, Look the Other Way	Francis Lesako	02:48
108	Linokana - Streams	Bernard Nteka	02:18
109	Semonkoula	Francis Lesako	03:42
201	Train Journey to the Republic of south Africa	Francis Lesako and John Maele	04:57
202	A E thata - Fierce One	Seth Sello	01:04
203	Khoba - Dance Song	Augustina Mokhosoa	01:42
204	Ieo ka cha - Hey, I'm Burning	Pulane Ramakoloi, Anna Ntebele, and Augustina Mokhosoa	01:52
205	Abuti Jesefa o rekile koloi - Brother Joseph Has Bought a Car	Agnes Lekeno and Ignatia Ngoae	01:17
206	Holy Mama	Augustina Mokhosoa	01:13
207	Etang nonyana e tsoang khekulo - The Bird Has Come from Afar	Francis Foso and Francis Ramoholi	01:28
208	Ntoa hae e loana ke mosebetsi - Fighting a War Is Hard Work	Lerotholi Psoli	01:22
209	Machine o teng - There Is a Machine	Kenneth Rannyama	01:58
210	Ntate Wood re tla sala le mang - Mr. Wood, with Whom Will We Be Left?	Francis Lesako	01:28
211	Leha ka bua, leha le ka soma - Even if You Talk or Mock Us	Joseph Mojalefa Manare	00:56
212	Hee ea tla sala - Hee, the One Who Will Remain Here	Kenneth Rannyama	02:08