Lipapali tsa bochaba are traditional games played by Basotho people, showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
Mokhibo is a common traditional game led by older women or young girls. They keep rhythm by moving their shoulders back and forth. They also use various instruments and sing in the Sesotho language.
An important instrument is the phala, a whistle used by the lead dancer to give commands, guiding the group through specific actions with different types of whistle blows.
Like many lessons in Lesotho, kids learn by watching their elders. Girls learn Mokhibo at school and also by watching their mothers and grandmothers play the game. Mokhibo, as well as other traditional games, are played at welcome ceremonies, cultural events and for entertainment.
Women also perform traditional games to earn money. Married women with children are invited to perform traditional games at private events for each other. Each woman pays to get in and watch the performance. Then, the community of women come together to vote on which members of their group will receive the money from their performance. This type of activity is called micro-financing.
