Sotho Calendar - Months

Months

The names of the months (dikgwedi) indicate special natural and agricultural events which traditionally happened during the period. Being cattle breeders who lived in the semi-arid regions of Southern Africa, a deep understanding of agriculture and the natural world was essential for the survival of the Basotho people.

The year begins roughly in the month of August, when the seeds are planted in anticipation of the next month's explosion of life.

1. Phato (August) — from the verb -fata (dig) as the barren fields are ploughed and prepared in anticipation of the next months explosion of life.
2. Lwetse (September) — lots of grass grows and the cows grow fat on it. They produce so much milk that the expression lebese le wetse (the milk has spilled over) is used.
3. Mphalane (October) — many impala deliver their young in this month, and the name is a diminutive of phala (impala); that is, it means "small impala."
4. Pudungwana (November) — many wildebeest deliver their young in this month, and the name is a diminutive of pudumo (wildebeest).
5. Tshitwe (December) — large numbers of a species of small grasshopper (tshitwe) are found at this time.
6. Pherekgong (January) — the crops begin to grow large and bird-scarers set up camp in their fields. They erect small structures and fera ka kgong (set up the rafters using old pieces of dried wood)
7. Hlakola (February) — the sorghum plants release a white substance and the ears of corn come out. This name sounds like the Sesotho verb -hlakola (wipe off).
8. Hlakubele (March) — the sorghum grains are visible and birds start eating them. The name is a compound noun from tlhaku tsa mabele (grains of sorghum)
9. Mmesa (April) — there are large numbers of a certain species of grasshopper known as mohlwane. Herd boys make fires at night and eat roasted maize with mohlwane. This gave rise to the proverb Mmesa mohlwane ha a panye (one needs to be diligent when doing a job, lit. the mohlwane roaster does not blink); the name comes from the first word in this proverb mmesa (the roaster).
10. Motsheanong (May) — the sorghum grains have become hard — too hard for the birds to eat them. It is said that the plants are laughing at the birds, and the name is a contraction of motsheha dinong (the one who laughs at the birds).
11. Phupjane (June) — this is the beginning of Winter, and all plants seem to die and many wild animals leave on migrations. It is said that Nature is holding back on life. The name means "a small holding back" and is a diminutive of the name of the following month.
12. Phupu (July) — everything seems completely dead and lifeless. Nature is holding back completely.