Abstract:
This research seeks to find out the significance of the culture of ho khethela
molekane (parental choice of spouses) in the Basotho society. The study focuses on
the rationale behind the culture of ho khethela molekane, its merits and the impact
of the Western culture on the culture of ho khethela molekane.
Three Sesotho novels were analysed to explore how the culture of ho khethela
molekane (parental choice of spouses) is presented as a theme in Sesotho novels.
The novels under study were published in different years: Meokho ea Thabo by
Khaketla (1979), Liketso by Morojele (1987) and Kotleloa Sehong by Ramakhula
(2005). The researcher purposively selected novels from 1979 to 2005 to find out
how Sesotho authors of different times portray the culture of ho khethela molekane
(parental choice of spouses).
The study reveals that amongst the Basotho society, the culture of ho khethela
molekane (parental choice of spouses) is practiced because it is deemed a parental
duty to choose spouses for their sons and daughters, and the culture of ho khethela
molekane is also practiced to preserve the cultural norms and practices of Basothosociety. Furthermore, the culture of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of
spouses) has the following merits: helping in maintaining and strengthening family
friendships as well as guaranteeing the unconditional support of the internal and
extended family members of the married couple in Basotho society. The culture of
ho khethela molekane also led to sustainable marriages.
However, the study concludes that the Western culture has had a negative impact on
the culture of ho khethela molekane. The factors of the Western culture that harm
v
the culture of ho khethela molekane are Christianity and the Western education
system.
Based on the conclusions drawn from the findings of this study, the researcherrecommends that more novels be published to portray the significance of the culture
of ho khethela molekane (parental choice of spouses).
