Mokorotlo

Lesotho license plate, featuring a mokorotlo

A mokorotlo is a type of straw hat widely used for traditional Sotho clothing, and is the national symbol of Lesotho and the national symbol of the Basotho and Lesotho peoples. An image of the Mokorotlo appears on the Lesotho flag, and on Lesotho vehicle license plates. The design is believed to have been inspired by the conical mountain Mount Qiloane.[1][2] It is known as “molianyeoe”, which means "he who executes judgement in court" in Sesotho.[3] It is manufactured from an indigenous grass known as “mosea” or “leholi”.[4]

  1. ^ Mzolo, Shoks (4 September 2015). "Thaba Bosiu: Where the mountain is king". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  2. ^ Martens, Daniela (3 September 2009). "Botschaften in Berlin laden Bürger ein" [Embassies in German welcome visitors] (in German). Tagesspiegel. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  3. ^ Guma, Mthobeli (2001). "The Cultural Meaning of Names among Basotho of Southern Africa: A Historical and Linguistic Analysis" (PDF). Nordic Journal of African Studies. 10 (3).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bishop1984 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).