The review of "Moetlo oa Lefu"death ritual on the bereaved Basotho women

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 vii 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.