BASUTOLAND Meaning and
Definition
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Basutoland was the former name of a landlocked kingdom located in southern Africa. The term "Basutoland" refers specifically to Lesotho, an independent nation in present-day southern Africa. This region got its name from the Basotho people, who are the primary ethnic group inhabiting the area and are the predominant cultural group in Lesotho.
Basutoland was a British protectorate from 1868 until its independence in 1966. Under British rule, Basutoland was administered by a Resident Commissioner appointed by the British government. The protectorate was established to safeguard the interests of the Basotho people and maintain political stability in the region. The Basotho society historically had a strong sense of identity, led by paramount chiefs, and British rule aimed to preserve their traditional customs and institutions.
Basutoland's economy was primarily based on subsistence agriculture, with the Basotho people cultivating crops such as maize, sorghum, and beans. The region also had rich deposits of minerals like diamonds and is known for its natural beauty, including the Drakensberg Mountains.
In 1966, Basutoland regained its independence from British control and was renamed as the Kingdom of Lesotho. Today, Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, and the term "Basutoland" is mainly used to refer to the historical period prior to its independence.
Common Misspellings for BASUTOLAND
- vasutoland
- nasutoland
- hasutoland
- gasutoland
- bzsutoland
- bssutoland
- bwsutoland
- bqsutoland
- baautoland
- bazutoland
- baxutoland
- badutoland
- baeutoland
- bawutoland
- basytoland
- bashtoland
- basjtoland
- Basotoland
- Basutelands
- Basutolond
Etymology of BASUTOLAND
The word "Basutoland" refers to the former name of the country now known as Lesotho.
The term "Basutoland" is derived from the Basotho people, the ethnic group native to Lesotho. The Basotho people are of Bantu origin and have inhabited the region for centuries. The name "Basuto" or "Basotho" means "people of the Free State" or "people of the soil" in the Sesotho language, which is spoken in Lesotho.
During colonial times, the region was known as Basutoland due to the influence of European settlers and colonial administrators. The word "land" was added to the name, following the convention of naming colonies or territories. However, after gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1966, the country adopted the name "Kingdom of Lesotho" to reflect its status as a sovereign nation.
Similar spelling words for BASUTOLAND
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