The Social, Political and Economic Factors That Led to the Emergence and Growth of the Sotho Kingdom

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Soon after settling on the mountain top with his clan, Moshoeshoe sought to achieve peace in his new kingdom and surrounding areas. He started by trying to absorb all the people from broken tribes within his area. In order to achieve this peace and unity, he showed mercy to the cannibals that had murdered and devoured his tribesmen. This is supported by historian J.D Omer Cooper who states “he offered peace to the cannibal sand lent them some of his own cattle so that they could use the milk on condition that they should stop their evil habits and accept his authority” This view was not shared by the masses, so in order to make his subjects support this initiative, Moshoeshoe took advantage of his people’s strong ancestral beliefs and convinced them that the cannibals were the sacred graves of the tribesmen they had eaten, and should thus be treated kindly. According to peter Sanders, Moshoeshoe stated that “it was not customary to disturb the graves of one’s ancestors.” Moshoeshoe invited them into his tribe, borrowed them cattle and required that they cease their cannibalism and become subservient to him. This act of compassion secured their utmost loyalty to him and helped their reemergence into society, this generosity attracted numerous other people to join his tribe, and led to the rise of the Basotho nation.

To control his ever expanding nation, Moshoeshoe used traditional methods such as installing members of his family to oversee small clans or tribes without chiefs. Tribes that already had chiefs, such as the Phuti, were left under their own leaders so long as they recognized Moshoeshoe as their king. By installing people that he trusted, to rule sections of his kingdom and insisting that those people are subordinate to him, he reduced the possibility of his clan plotting a revolution against him. Moshoeshoe also inspired his subjects to be loyal to the Basotho Kingdom by scheduling meetings with prominent men in different sectors of the society and discussing important issues. This increased the men’s sense of belonging and reduced possible dissatisfaction therefore decreasing the risk of them leaving the Basotho for another tribe.

Moshoeshoe lavished his generosity towards many of his transgressors, such as the Ndebele; who during a journey to retaliate against Moletsane, attacked Thaba Bosiu. Despite the Ndebele’s advanced military techniques, they were no match for Sotho army who had the advantage of the steep mountains side, and were hence defeated. After his victory, Moshoeshoe publicly extended great generosity to the Ndebele in the form of cattle. J.D Omer Cooper suggests that this was a very diplomatic move on Moshoeshoe’s part because “Moshesh realized that this was not an outright victory. Only a fraction of the Ndebele forces had been involved and they could return to the attack time and time again until the resistance was worn down.” Peter Sanders agrees with this view as he too states “He [Moshoeshoe] was trying to make sure that the Ndebele would not attack him again”

Moshoeshoe was not known to instigate wars, however he did launch counter attacks, particularly against the Griquas and Koranas. The Griquas and Koranas were notorious for using their guns and horses to seize cattle and had according to J.D Omer Cooper “reduced [Moshoeshoe’s people] to dire straits.” To combat this, Moshoeshoe organized raiding parties to steal the Griquas and Koranas’ horses and guns during the night. The Sotho soon acquired a large collection of guns and horses which proved to be a significant military advancement. The guns and horses provided the Basotho with speed during war and superior ammunition, therefore allowing them to defend their nation better.

Moshoeshoe was also rather unconventional, in the sense that he invited missionaries to live among his people. The reason behind this, according to historian Peter Sanders, was that “he believed that they could make his people strong like the Europeans” This was a constructive decision since it according to J.D Omer Cooper “acquired [him] new allies who were to be vital in helping him understand and deal with pressure from white governments and who could wield influence in Europe in his support.” This statement suggests that Moshoeshoe’s link with the missionaries helped the Sotho Nation survive against the Europeans.

Moshoeshoe can be largely credited for the rise of the Basotho Nation. It was mostly due to his great leadership and initiative that the Basotho Empire rose from a sparse group of individuals that Moshoeshoe led up Butha Buthe Mountain, to the great and famous kingdom that they developed into. The several other factors that contributed to the rise of this nation such as social and political instability and economic conditions are not to be overlooked as they too played a significant role in the rise of the Basotho Nation.