Religion in Relation to Lesotho

        

         The nation of Lesotho is considered to be up to 90 percent Christian. This is obviously its main religion. To give some statistical numbers about it the Christian divisions here is a list. Roman Catholics represent 45 percent of the population, Lesotho Evangelicals 26 percent, and Anglican and other Christian groups an additional 19 percent.[1] So even though the country has a claim of 90 percent, many one those are Catholic. Unfortunately the numbers are a bit deceiving. Many of the natives to this country claim these particular religions or a denominations of Christianity, but few actually understand or follow the teachings. The left over 10 percent of this country’s religion is divided up between Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists, Baha’i, and traditional Basotho beliefs.[2] Because of the immigrants such as the Indians, Arabs and Chinese that have come to start factories and exploit cheap labor, there has been an increase in these more foreign religions.

          Christians can be found all through-out Lesotho, but the Muslims live more towards the North East of the country. Remember that this country is surrounded by South Africa. This being the case it is also getting religious influence from across the border. Most of those that practice Islam are those from Asian origin, (the immigrants) while the majority of the Christians are the Basotho.[3] Some of these Basotho incorporate their traditional beliefs, which include ancestor worship, into Christianity and mix the beliefs up. As far as myths go in this country, there is a particular one that is part of the traditional beliefs. This is a myth of the first man named Huveane. He was supposedly to be the one who created everything. As humans started to reproduce, earth became too loud for him. He wanted to escape this so he somehow drove pegs into the sky and climbed up into the heavens. As he climbed, he removed each peg so no human could follow him.[4] This is just one example of a myth that was spread about in the traditional beliefs.

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[1] US Department of State. “International Religious Freedom Report 2007.” State.gov.org. http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2007/90104.htm (accessed April 7, 2016).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Listverse. “10 African Myths and Legends.” Listverse.com. http://listverse.com/2013/07/18/ten-african-myths-and-legends-2/ (accessed April 7, 2016).