Moshweshwe biography for kids

First King of Lesotho

"Mshweshwe" redirects here. For the traditional South African fabric, see Shweshwe.

Moshoeshoe I () (c. 1786 – 11 March 1870) was the first king of Lesotho.

He was the first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage, a branch of the Koena (crocodile) clan.

Moshweshwe biography for kids

In his youth, he helped his father gain power over some other smaller clans. At the age of 34 Moshoeshoe formed his own clan and became a chief. He and his followers settled at the Butha-Buthe Mountain. He became the first and longest-serving King of Lesotho in 1822.

Early life

Moshoeshoe was born under the name Lepoqo in the village of Menkhoaneng in the north of modern day Lesotho.^[1] The precise year of his birth remains unknown, estimates range from 1780 to 1794; 1786 being the most commonly agreed upon date.

His name's literal translation is Dispute, originated from accusations of witchcraft which were levied on a man in Menkhoaneng around the t