Sunday, January 9, 2011
In 2005, I spent some time in South Africa and Lesotho (a small, landlocked country in southern Africa). One of the things I came home with was a traditional Basotho blanket. And I love it.
The blankets are a common sight in Lesotho, worn in almost all occasions by most people. They are used for bedding, clothing, and carrying children. They bold symbolic designs and colors represent status, wealth, and trade. They are large, made of thick wool, warm, and unique. Mine looks like this:
The blankets are a common sight in Lesotho, worn in almost all occasions by most people. They are used for bedding, clothing, and carrying children. They bold symbolic designs and colors represent status, wealth, and trade. They are large, made of thick wool, warm, and unique. Mine looks like this:
I think the corn has something to do with farming, but I don't remember specifically... Anyway, I love my blanket for many reasons. First of all, it's incredibly warm (and not itchy). It would be perfect for wrapping up in on a cool night and looking at the stars. In fact, I think I did this in the middle of a tennis court once... and I was warm. Also, I'm convinced it still smells like Lesotho. I do realize this is incredibly unlikely. Smell is one of those senses very linked to memory. I'm sure it's just that the smell of the blanket reminds me of my time in Lesotho. But I prefer to pretend it actually smells like Lesotho...
I would love to go back to Lesotho some day. And I imagine I'd come home with another one of these...
I'm sure that one would remind me of my second trip as much as this one reminds me of all the incredible experiences I had during my first trip to Lesotho!
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1 comments:
I got so happy when I saw this post. I got one when I was there in 2008 and I love it. Mine was the only one of its kind that they bought at the market and it's bright green and orange and has hearts on it for the heart of the king. And-it DOES smell like Lesotho. I swear it. I have never done anything to try to clean it because I don't want that smell to go away.
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