Traces of Snake Worship in Basotho Culture
Ophiolatreia is a universal phenomenon found in almost all ancient societies.This study is an attempt to establish that even in Southern Africa, ophiolatreiais traceable. Using intertextuality and phenomenology as its methods ofapproach, the study analyses Molutsoane, Lesokoana and Mokete oa Molula,...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
ASRSA
2008
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| In: |
Journal for the study of religion
Year: 2008, Volume: 21, Issue: 1 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Ophiolatreia is a universal phenomenon found in almost all ancient societies.This study is an attempt to establish that even in Southern Africa, ophiolatreiais traceable. Using intertextuality and phenomenology as its methods ofapproach, the study analyses Molutsoane, Lesokoana and Mokete oa Molula,the three well-known Basotho cultural ways of praying for rain. A criticalanalysis of these three shows that the ancient Basotho did address some oftheir prayers to a water snake as the object of their worship. According tosome of the Basotho cultural practices such as initiation rite and theinformation one gets from some of the Basotho myths, this water snake isnot only the source or the giver of water but it also gives fertility to women. Asthe giver of rain, the snake is called Tlhahla-macholo and the Creator, as thegiver of fertility. |
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| ISSN: | 2413-3027 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.4314/jsr.v21i1.47780 |