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 Vaal, You Men)	Joseph Mojalefa Manare and male Basotho singers	02:25
102	Tsoana li malente (They Are Carrying Malente)	Group of boys at Roulin Secondary School	02:48
103	Marashea	Bernard Nteka and male Basotho singers	01:53
104	Bona Maseiboko (Look at the Goats)	Francis Lesako and male Basotho singers	02:12
105	Oa cho sekubethe (You Say Sekubethe)	Albert Makutoane and male Basotho singers	03:16
106	Hae nkong tsa malimo (Hey, Under the Cannibals' Noses)	Albert Makutoane and male Basotho singers	02:12
107	He shebang koana (Hey, Look the Other Way)	Francis Lesako and male Basotho singers	02:48
108	Linokana (Streams)	Bernard Nteka and male Basotho singers	02:18
109	Semonkoula	Francis Lesako and male Basotho singers	03:42
201	Train Journey to the Republic of South Africa	Francis Lesako and John Maele	04:57
202	E thata (A Fierce One)	Seth Sello and students at Roulin Secondary School	01:04
203	Khoba	Augustina Mokhosoa and students at Roulin Secondary School	01:42
204	Ieo ka cha (Hey, I'm Burning)	Pulane Ramakoloi, Anna Ntebele, Augustina Mokhosoa, Pulane Molapo and Austeria Soai	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 and students at Roulin Secondary School	01:13
207	Etang nonyana e tsoang khekulo (The Bird Has Come from Afar)	Francis Foso, Francis Ramoholi and male Basotho singers	01:28
208	Ntoa hae e loana ke mosebetsi (Fighting a War Is Hard Work)	Lerotholi Psoli and male Basotho singers	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 and male Basotho singers	01:28
211	Leha ka bua, leha le ka soma (Even If You Talk or Mock Us)	Female students at Roulin Secondary School	00:56
212	Hee ea tla sala (Hee, the One Who Will Remain Here)	Kenneth Rannyama	02:08