An assessment of Seshoeshoe dress as a cultural identity for Basotho women of Lesotho

[摘要] English: The focus of this survey study was to investigate the perceptions of the people regarding theseshoeshoe dress as part of the cultural identity for Basotho women in Lesotho. The populationfor the study was derived from the Lesotho College of Education staff and students, representingconsumers, and the seshoeshoe dressmakers within the Central Business District area of Maseruas producers of the seshoeshoe dress. A quantitative research design with both a questionnaireand a structured interview was used to obtain information from the staff and students; aninterview schedule was used to gather information from the dressmakers.The study was carried out within the theoretical framework of the cultural, contextual andsemiotic perspectives, in which the contextual perspective facilitated an understanding of theinterface between the individuals' appearance and cultural processes. The cultural perspectiveprovided a shared symbolic order within which people interpreted and developed meanings,while the semiotic analysis allowed the investigator to document the functions of dress in termsof its use within communities as well as within the Basotho society.Findings emerging from the study indicate that seshoeshoe dress is a symbol of national identityfor Basotho women. Seshoeshoe dress is expensive. Appropriate new styles are acceptable butthere is a concern regarding over- modification of the traditional style. Despite the emergence ofthe modernised seshoeshoe dress styles, and while a certain amount of change is allowed, thetraditional style should be maintained and safeguarded as a cultural heritage. Current styles werefound to be attractive to both the youth and the elderly, although mostly to the youth. Currentstyles, in addition to being attractive, demand less fabric and labour. The modified seshoeshoedress styles are more popular than the traditional styles. Dressmakers are more familiar with thenames of motifs than are their customers. A way for classifying these motifs was developedduring the study. Preferred colours of consumers are lebete (spleen), blue, brown, golden blueand golden brown.Style, taste, acceptance and fashionability all play an important role in the popularity ofseshoeshoe dress. Improved economy and technology have resulted in the emergence of a varietyof new styles offering a wider choice to consumers. Seshoeshoe fabric should be used forpurposes that will continue to dignify it as part of the cultural identity of the Basotho people.The study recommends that in order for the contributions of the Morija Arts and CulturalFestival and, the Cultural Days held at schools to be sustainable in terms of the significance ofseshoeshoe as a cultural identity for Basotho women, the government through the Ministry ofTourism, Culture and Environment should formalise these activities at national level.

[发布机构] University of the Free State