Mohalenyane Phakela
MORIJA Museum and Archives (MMA) will on 7 October host a Heritage Music and Arts Day featuring art and crafts exhibitions.
The entrance free event will also feature the screening of the heritage film, Ho Llela Borena in The Hub.
There will also be a discussion about Basotho’s heritage and culture titled Conversations at Morija #3.
The curator of the discussion, Lerato Bereng, described it as “a space where history, the present and the future are equally malleable to propose alternative ways of thinking, reflecting and looking forward”.
Jazz outfit, JC Crew will also entertain the crowd with live music in the amphitheatre.
MMA is a non-profit cultural and educational institution on local history, heritage and community-based tourism, the arts, science and the environment. It was established by the Lesotho Evangelical Church of Southern Africa in 1956.
MMA Marketing and Promotions Manager, Thato Phakisi, recently told Xpress People that the celebration was aimed at sensitising Basotho on the importance of preserving their heritage.
“Through this event we are using different elements to recall where we are from as a nation, where we are and what the future holds for us,” Phakisi said.
“We will focus on how our heritage has evolved since independence in 1966. It is so sad that our youth pay little attention to our heritage but rather focus on what is trending on the internet.
“Conversations, which will be held for the third time, is a programme through which we create a platform for intellectuals to discuss the past, present and future, shying away from the politics in order to avoid stepping on others’ toes.”
She said it was also important for Basotho to protect their heritage so that other nations can respect it too, adding this started with speaking proper Sesotho.
She also said that the museum offered an opportunity to experience the richness of Sotho culture which is rarely explored by Basotho and that could be done through the museum tour.