Cultural History

Master’s Thesis – Paris 7 University – 1994

Advisor: Prof. Francoise Raison

This thesis first describes the power structures that prevailed among the Basotho prior to European influence. It then discusses how the advent of the colonial period affected these structures. The entire period examined extends from the early 19th century (~1830s) until the late 1930s, which includes the early British Protectorate from 1884.

French (original)

i.e. English translation

Below is a rough English translation done with DeepL, still largely unedited as of July_31_2025 .
I trust that readers understand that this has to be used with caution!
If you would like to discuss the translation accuracy of certain passages – or anything else relating to the content, for that matter – do not hesitate to contact me.

PhD Thesis – UNISA (University of South Africa) – 2000

Advisor: Prof. Johannes du Bruyn; Co-advisor: Prof. Tilman Dedering

Missionaries from the French Société des Missions Evangéliques de Paris (SMEP) arrived in present-day Lesotho in 1833, where they founded a mission with King Moshoeshoe’s support. They were the first Europeans to live among the Basotho, and the first to preach Christianity there. The thesis examines how their message and beliefs were received and interpreted by the Basotho, and what factors in the prevailing Sotho culture and world view played a key role in this. The work also discusses the process of community formation by which Evangelical Christians were to become a distinct group with its own identity and sub-culture by the end of the period.

English (original): request from the UNISA Library

Publication – Kleio, 32:1, 5 -22 – 2000

Paper based on the above PhD Thesis.

English (original)

La Rencontre Entre les Basutos et les Missionnaires de la Societe des Missions Evangeliques de Paris, 1833-1933: Quelques Perspectives

Traduction Francaise

Vous trouverez ci-dessous une traduction approximative en anglais réalisée à l’aide de DeepL, encore largement non révisée à la date du 31 juillet 2025.

Je remercie les lecteurs de bien vouloir utiliser cette traduction avec prudence.

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