Sacred caves of the Basotho

For thousands of years, a pilgrimage has been made by the Basotho people to a network of sacred caves to communicate with the spiritual world.

[6] The Motouleng caves, meaning 'place of beating drums', are located in the mountains of the eastern Free State and Lesotho, between Clarens and Fouriesberg.

Close to these caves is a prominent sacred medicinal clay site called 'Nkokomoni', meaning 'the swelling place'.

Both the Motouleng and Bodimong cave sites are highly regarded as they contain many forms of symbolism for both the Basotho traditions as well as Christian individuals.

[3] People who perform rituals in these caves include herbalists, diviners and traditional healers who all aim to treat disease and reduce misfortune.

[8][better source needed] The caves also function to mark the rite of passage for specific occasions including births, puberty, marriage, baptisms, and even funerals.

These rituals are important as they help define the social makeup of the Basotho communities as they turn 'boys to men' and 'girls to women'.

[3] The areas are open for all people to see, however, some rituals are done in isolation and privacy as the Basotho community believes they require respect.

The artwork in the caves is described as having a 'spiritual dimension' as the art displays trance experiences, unrealistic appearing animals, and other strange figures.

The trance is described as a 'feeling of transformation into the spiritual realm' where the people have the ability to fight evil spirits with the protection of animal power.

[2] Tour guides report an initial resistance from farmers to allow people to visit the caves as they are on private property.

[10] Nearby these caves is Mautse, a black township, and Rosendal, a white farming and arts community.

The weather conditions, specifically heavy rain, has caused destruction in the township, leaving people without homes.