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  Edith D January 20, 2014 at 3:40am

  Here is a detail of one that I purchased...

  The stripes on the blanket were originally a mis-weave, but the Basotho loved them since the stripe was similar to the ridge fur on an animal skin.  There are many different patterns and colors, and typically each village will adopt a specific model worn by all the residents.  There are also special burial blankets, special blankets worn by a village chief, and even special patterns for events (including royal marriages or a Papal visit.)  Originally made in Europe, the blankets are now produced in nearby South Africa.
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  Edith D January 20, 2014 at 3:43am

  Here is a photo of the lady from whom I purchased my blanket.

  This lady and her sister ran the family business in Clarens, South Africa.  The store had been there for almost a century.
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  Edith D January 20, 2014 at 3:47am

  An often quoted adage in Lesotho says that, "A Masotho warrior needs only his blanket and a knife."
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  Ethnic Embellishments January 20, 2014 at 3:59am

  Edith, this is fascinating.  There is a similar history of blankets with many Native American tribes.
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  Edith D January 20, 2014 at 4:31am

  Glad you found this interesting.  I also thought the similarities with trade blankets in the Americas very interesting.  These blankets are incredibly warm, and the lanolin in the wool has some capacity to shed rain water.  Not only are they beautiful, but also very practical!
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  Patricia Deany January 20, 2014 at 5:00am

  Love this image Edith, in the States we have the Pendleton blankets which were traded with the Southwest Indians and made by a company which still exists in Washington State. Here is a pic of Chief Joseph wearing his Pendleton in 1901 -- from the net./Here is an article about the blankets. This is a short article about the blankets. They are still being produced today. www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/chief1...
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  Patricia Deany January 20, 2014 at 5:03am

  This is a pic of a blanket much like the one I own. Probably mine was made in the 1930-1950 time period.
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  Eva Baby January 20, 2014 at 6:45am

  Like that very much, also the comments and the photos there, new aspects here on Ethnic Jewels widening our horizons.
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  Akkie January 20, 2014 at 9:08am

  Very nice and all interesting!
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  Edith D January 20, 2014 at 4:30pm

  Beautiful blanket, and nice picture Patti!  Thanks for sharing!  One of my favorite stories about Basotho blankets comes from a letter written by the first king of Lesotho.  King Moshoeshoe (pronounced me-shway-shway) wrote a letter to Queen Victoria of England begging for her protection from the Boer settlers.  In the letter he wrote that he wanted "to be a flea" in her blanket!

  Photo of Moshoeshoe.