Basutos

Basutos are a South African race belonging to the great Bantu stock, and closely allied to the Bechuanas, if not really a subdivision of the latter people. Their country lies between the Orange River Free State and Natal, and is lilly and well watered. The Bantu stock, as distinguished from negroes on the one hand and Hottentots and Bushmen on the other, is that to which the Kaffirs also belong. The Basutos are superior to the Kaffirs in intelligence and industry, but rank below them in bodily development and warlike energy. They have played an important part in South African history for the last fifty years. They originated politically about the beginning of the century, made up from various races of Bechuanas and Kaffirs, united under Motlume. To him succeeded about 1828 the famous Moshesh, who did much for his people, and maintained from his impregnable rock-fastness, Thaba-Bosigo, a forty years' warfare against both Boers and English. At last, continual fighting so weakened his followers that the English were able in 1868 to add his territory to their possessions. For some years Basutoland formed a part of Cape Colony, but further troubles arose, and the attempt at disarmament in 1878 led to a revolt of almost the whole tribe. Strenuous efforts were made by the colony to put down the rebellion, with but little success. The Basuto chiefs were anxious to be under the direct authority of the imperial government, and the failure of their negotiations disposed the authorities at the Cape to offer no opposition to their demand. A great Pitso of the Basutos, held November 29, 1883, attended by the representatives of more than two-thirds of the whole tribe, unanimously expressed a desire for British rule, and a willingness to pay the hut-tax, which was a condition of the imperial government. Accordingly, Basutoland became an appanage of the British crown from March 13, 1884.