The whole village was in chaos, Francis, who had been without a child with his lovely wife for almost twenty years was now a new father... like all Basotho men, women had poured him with water all day. He was exhausted!he has met a bucket of water at every turn, starting from 4am when his sister called him from his bedroom claiming an emergency. afterwards he couldn't keep up with the number of women who had poured him with water.
Although he was a bit older, he never understood what this practice meant. That's why he took refuge at "khotla" around 10am. His eyes were wide as if he had had an encounter with a raging lioness. He found men gathered for some beer and discussions. He said quietly with his clothes dripping water. The chief felt sympathetic and gave him his blanket. He then joined his fellow men to drink and indulge in their conversation.
Ramona, his greatest rival congratulated him in fathering a daughter after a millennia... He couldn't understand, so he turned to the chief who was his best friend:
"Pheko, what is this idiot uttering this time?"
Pheko: "when women pour you with water it's a sign that a daughter has been born to you. so he was the first to tell you why you've met water at every turn."
At this point, the sorghum beer was already taking effect. He stood up, and started singing. it was a hero's song, of a father who returns from a successful hunt. All men joined him in the dancing and singing; because no one would deny his perfect singing.
They calmed down, and one drunk talked closely to him: "man, I always thought the powerful Francis would have an heir, now it looks like my son will marry into his family and own all the luxuries of the Semethe's."
This stired anger within him, he took his 1."molamu" and tried to hit the man who said this, however,his colleagues caught him.
the drunk asked " hey! what kind of 2.'mokhotsi' will you be?"
Francis:" first I won't let my daughter marry into a stupid family like yours. second, I wanted to knock some sense into you."
it was no miracle, Basotho men usually discussed marriage of their children from the point of birth.However, Francis wanted more for his only child, he wanted her to have the best in the world and choose who to marry because his father had let him do the same.
He stood up and said :" excuse me guys, I have a daughter to welcome, I have to go home and prepare goats to slaughter; let's meet on Saturday to celebrate the birth of my princess. right now I have to go name her".
with that,he left.
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1. A club-like stick Basotho men carry.
2. Family of the son/daughter in-law