Seasons
Like many other African societies, Sesotho speaking people generally recognise only 2 seasons (dihla). However, names do exist for all four of the traditional Western seasons. The year begins in approximately August or September, when the crops are planted.
- Selemo (Spring) — from the verb -lema (plant) as the crops are planted at the beginning of this period. This is also the most common name for "year."
- Lehlabula (Summer) — more often than not this name is used for both the spring and the summer.
- Lehwetla (Autumn) — from the ancient Proto-Bantu root *-ginja ("hot season"). This noun is often used without the class prefix (that is, as Hwetla).
- Mariha (Winter) — from the ancient and widespread Proto-Bantu root *-tîka ("cold weather; cold season; night"). More often than not this name is used to denote both Autumn and Winter.
Read more about this topic: Sotho Calendar
Famous quotes containing the word seasons:
“The men who think of superannuation at sixty-one are those whose lives have been idle, not they who have really buckled themselves to work. It is my opinion that nothing seasons the mind for endurance like hard work. Port wine should perhaps be added.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)
“Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud,
And after summer evermore succeeds
Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold;
So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether the summer clothe the general earth
With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree,”
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)