Why Lesotho’s Flag Has a Mokorotlo Hat in the Middle

Most national flags reach for stars, weapons, animals or the sun. The Lesotho flag has a hat.

The black cone-shaped hat in the middle of the blue, white and green flag is the Basotho hat, widely known as the mokorotlo. It went up on flagpoles on 4 October 2006, the day Lesotho marked 40 years of independence from the United Kingdom.

What the Lesotho flag replaced

The flag before it, used from 1987, carried a military emblem: a shield with a spear and a knobkerrie. When the new flag was unfurled, the BBC reported the government’s explanation that it showed Lesotho “at peace with itself and its neighbours”.

There is a twist. The hat was not new to Lesotho’s flags. It had been on the first independence flag in 1966, and it was replaced after a coup. So the 2006 change was, in a sense, a return.

Why a hat works as a symbol

A spear says “we will defend ourselves”. A hat that people wear, weave and recognise says “this is who we are”. It points to everyday Basotho identity rather than conflict, and it is instantly recognisable to anyone from the region. You will see the same shape on buildings, souvenirs and at national celebrations.

It also fits the mountain kingdom’s history. The Basotho nation was built in the 1820s by King Moshoeshoe I, who gathered communities fleeing the upheavals of the Difaqane at his mountain stronghold, Thaba Bosiu. A symbol of shared belonging sits comfortably with that story.

Peace runs through the language too. Khotso, peace, is a warm traditional greeting in Sesotho, and it opens Lesotho’s national motto, Khotso, Pula, Nala: peace, rain and plenty.

Three things to notice next time you see the flag

• The hat is black and sits in the white middle stripe.
• There are no weapons anywhere on it.
• It was chosen for an anniversary, so it is as much a statement about the future as about the past.

Quick facts

• The current flag was raised on 4 October 2006, for 40 years of independence.
• The flag in use from 1987 carried a shield, spear and knobkerrie.
• The hat had already appeared on the first independence flag in 1966, and was replaced after a coup.
• The BBC reported the government’s view that the new flag showed Lesotho “at peace with itself and its neighbours”.

From the flag to the language

If you visit Lesotho for Independence Day on 4 October, your first word will be the greeting. In Sesotho, Lesotho spelling, that is Lumela to one person. The written l is pronounced closer to a d before i and u, which is why South African books write Dumela. To be respectful to an elder, add a title, as in Lumela, Ntate, or use the plural Lumelang even to one person.

Words to know

In everyday conversation

A first meeting in Sesotho, from our course dialogue, sounds like this:

• Lumela, ‘Mè. U kae? Hello, ma’am. How are you?
• Ke teng, Ntate. U kae? I’m well, sir. And you?
• Kea leboha haholo. Thank you very much.
• Tsamaea hantle! Go well! And the reply: Sala hantle! Stay well!

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a hat on the Lesotho flag?

The Basotho hat, or mokorotlo, replaced a shield, spear and knobkerrie in 2006. The BBC reported the government’s explanation that the new flag showed Lesotho “at peace with itself and its neighbours”.

When did Lesotho change its flag?

The current flag was unfurled on 4 October 2006, when Lesotho marked 40 years of independence. The previous flag had been in use since 1987.

How do you say hello in Sesotho?

Say Lumela to one person and Lumelang to a group. In Lesotho spelling the l before i and u sounds close to a d, so Lumela is said doo-MEH-lah.

Your turn

If you could put one everyday object on your own country’s flag, something that says “this is us” rather than “we are strong”, what would it be? Read the BBC’s 2006 report on Lesotho’s new flag, or see another piece of Basotho heritage in The Basotho Blanket and Seanamarena: Story and History.

Our Sesotho hub uses Lesotho spelling throughout, and the Sesotho: Complete Language Pack (A1 to C2) takes you all the way from A1 to C2. The free 5-minute Sesotho lesson walks you through that l and d sound, and you can book a trial with a Sesotho tutor when you are ready to speak.