1) The document discusses the early history of chieftainship among the Basotho people of Lesotho, starting with the chieftain Monaheng in the 15th century. 2) It describes Monaheng's marriages to different wives and how their social status determined seniority, as well as the succession disputes after his death between his sons from different wives. 3) It traces the lineage through Mokoteli, Peete, and Mokhachane to Moshoeshoe, who would successfully unite the Basotho tribes and establish the Kingdom of Lesotho in the early 19th century.

1. The chieftainship of Lesotho

2. The history of chieftainship of Basotho by Motloang
Ntaote from Lesotho College of Education
Thaba-Tseka
email address: motloangntaote50@gmail.com

3. Monaheng
 D. F. Ellenberger (1912: 76-105). The history of the Basotho, said that
Monaheng is said to have been a strong chief who did his best to
bring about stability and good governance during his time. It is worth
highlighting Monaheng's marriages to different wives. This may help us
to understand some of the Basotho customs and laws. Chieftainess
Tšeola, the mother of the twins, Monyane and Mokheseng.

4. Monaheng’s wifes
 Monaheng moved to Fothane, he married ’Mantsane, the daughter of
the Bafokeng chief of Komane. ’Mantsane because she was of royal
blood automatically became the first senior wife. After some time
’Mamotloang, who was also from the royal family, was married to
Monaheng. Because of her royal blood, she became the second senior
wife. Mokheseng and Monyane, were the first wife Monaheng married
although she was a commoner.

5. Mokheseng
 Therefore Tšeola the commoner, occupied the third position in the
order of seniority amongst Monaheng's wives. Unfortunately the four
sons from the two senior wives were not as active as Mokheseng who
became his father's favourite. As active as he was, Mokheseng had one
flaw, an unquenchable lust for beautiful women. This eventually led to
his death. He forcefully stole the wife of chief Dijo of Makhoakhoa,
who in turn, with assistance from the Basia, managed to overcome
Mokheseng and his warriors. Among those who were killed in that fight
were Motloang and Mokheseng.

6. Ntsane
Ntsane, from the first senior house, could not inherit the
chieftainship because during his father's lifetime he left his
father's village in search of better land where he could be
independent. Motloheloa, his brother, was too weak and never
bothered himself about the chieftainship.

7. Mokoteli
 After Monaheng's death, his other sons went in different directions
where they ruled their subjects as independent chiefs. Another reason
was that the Monaheng sons could not agree on the levirate custom to
be practiced with regard to the wives of Motloang and Mokheseng.
Customarily Mokoteli was supposed to take care of Motloang's wife,
but ’Mapeete repulsed his advances. She indicated that she could not be
taken care of by her husband's younger brother

8. Peete
 Mokoteli therefore suggested that Khojane of Ntsane should take care
of Mapeete. She declined this offer instead she opted for her Hlubi
lover, ’Mualle. ’Mapeete and ’Mualle were blessed with Peete, who
because of his birth, did not have the status of being an heir.
Ellenberger writes that: “Peete e ne e le mofutsana ea sa tsotelloeng ke
motho ea aparang senyepa sa matlalo a lipela”. Peete was a poverty-stricken
individual who was neglected so he had to wear a blanket made out of rabbit
skin.

9. Peete
None of these people is Peete, but
demonstration of how people wearing
animal skins look.

10. Peete
 His sons, Libe and Mokhachane, were the ones who were later
respected as they fought tooth and nail for their rights as heirs of
Motloang's family. They fortunately succeeded in their struggle and
each one of them acquired a village. Although Libe was the eldest twin,
he could not retain the chieftainship because he was too cruel and
stingy. It is said that whenever he had an animal slaughtered, he called
his brother Mokhachane to visit him. Usually Mokhachane on such
visits was accompanied by his men. As stingy as he was, Libe would
ask his brother to enter his house alone and eat with him, ignoring
Mokhachane's subjects.

11. Mokhachane
 Fortunately Mokhachane was the opposite of his brother, he was
popular among his people and neighbours alike. For instance after his
visits to Libe's village he would slaughter an animal to feed men who
had accompanied him as a form of cooling their tempers from ill-
treatment they might have received from Libe. In this way Mokhachane
gained strength, popularity and his subjects increased in numbers.
Automatically chieftainship shifted to his side. Mokhachane among his
sons had one by the name of Lepoqo who later became known as
Moshoeshoe.

12. Lepoqo
 After Lepoqo had returned from initiation school, he was
taken to Mohlomi by Peete for blessing. Mohlomi gave him
an ear ring lesale la puso "the ear ring of governance". He
told Moshoeshoe that, “motse ha o na setlhare , setlhare ke
pelo”. For one to have a village does not need any medicine,
one's heart is the medicine.

13. King Moshoeshoe
 Moshoeshoe successfully became a great king through his peaceful
endeavour of building the Basotho nation. He cared for the needy by
providing them with something to eat. He protected those who were
persecuted by enemies and established peaceful relations with his
neighbours. During his time the Basotho nation turned out to be one
and united nation under one leader.

14. Pictures of king Moshoeshoe

15. The genealogy of Basotho chieftainship

16. Conclusion
 Tšeola as the first wife of Monaheng, therefore was supposed to be
recognized as a first senior wife of Monaheng, regardless of her background.
This forces the kings to marry only from royal houses to maintain royal
blood, commoners should have also being permitted to be queens.

17. List of references
 Ellenberger, D. F. & Macgregor, J. C. T. (1912) History of Basotho,ancient and modem . London,
caxton publishing company, limited. [Pdf]
 https://lccn.loc.gov/14004114