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:
“A sober mind will walk alone,
Apart from nature, if need be,
And only its own seasons own;
For nature leaving its humanity.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours,
Makes the night morning and the noontide night.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Let there be seasons so that our tongues will be rich in asparagus and limes.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)