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:
“And so the seasons went rolling on into summer, as one rambles into higher and higher grass.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“While I enjoy the friendship of the seasons I trust that nothing can make life a burden to me.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,
Makes the night morning and the noontide night.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)