Abstract:
This study reviews moetlo oa lefu “death ritual” on the bereaved Basotho women
using the African Feminism and Functionalism theories. The study selected some
rural and urban villages in Leribe and Botha-Bothe districts in Lesotho. Data for the
study was collected through semi-structured interviews.
The study findings have revealed that moetlo oa lefu has a certain significance to the
Basotho as a whole. The study has found that amongst others, moetlo oa lefu is used
as an official confirmation about the passing on of a person; it allows the society to
offer support to the bereaved and is used to integrate members of the bereaved back
into the society.
Although moetlo oa lefu is significant to the Basotho, the study has also found that
it also has some psychological and economic impact on the bereaved Basotho
women as the main mourners. Under the economic challenges, the study has found
that the bereaved Basotho women have to renovate the mourning house for the
arrival of the corpse, incur increased financial responsibilities, loss of property andincome. Societal and familial expectations force the bereaved Basotho women to
overspend.
On the psychological impact of moetlo oa lefu on the bereaved Basotho women, the
study has found that the bereaved Basotho women are discriminated by some
members of the society. The bereaved Basotho women also suffer from social
phobia, depression, trauma and anxiety disorders.
The study has recommended that issues related to mourning have to be discussed
thoroughly during family gatherings rather than at funerals to reach a consensus in
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a relaxed manner. It has even recommended that the Government of Lesotho through
the relevant stakeholders, should engage in programmes that reinforce the well-being of the bereaved Basotho women.
