A Wearable Canvas | The History of Basotho Blankets

Originating in the 19th century, Basotho blankets were inspired by a gift of a woolen shawl from a British official to King Moshoeshoe I, the first King of Lesotho and the founder of the tiny landlocked nation. In that pivotal cross cultural exchange, what began as an adaptation of European textile became a hallmark of Basotho identity. 

Decades after that exchange, in 1865, King Moshoeshoe appealed to Queen Victoria to make Lesotho a British protectorate as his country was under siege. When Queen Victoria granted his request, Moshoeshoe stated with gratitude that she had “spread her blanket” of protection over the country. Since then and in the almost three centuries which followed, Basotho blankets have been woven into the heritage of Lesotho and emerged as powerful symbols of both colonial and sovereign identity. 

Over generations, Basotho blankets evolved to include meaningful designs—some honoring kings, others marking significant events, and many encoding philosophical concepts or social commentary. Each motif carries with it layers of interpretation understood by the Basotho people, making the blanket not just a functional item but a communicative artifact.

Proud Mary artist William Marapamele of Lesotho creates large-scale hand-embroidered Basotho blankets, each of which features whimsical bold patterns combined with traditional symbolic motifs of Lesotho. From his Gold in Goat piece which celebrates the role of the goat shepherd in Lesotho’s quintessential landscape to King which commemorates the very origin of his art, each of Marapamele’s pieces and their limited edition prints are powerful expressions of national pride and artistic ingenuity. 

Basotho blankets are no longer seen simply as cultural artifacts but as dynamic expressions of African aesthetics and sovereignty, making them increasingly desirable in the global art and design world. Acclaimed designer Thabo Makhetha has elevated Basotho blankets to couture status, incorporating them into garments that straddle the line between fashion and art. 

In the art world, Basotho blankets have been exhibited at galleries and museums focused on African material culture, design and fashion - from the British Museum to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa to the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.

Collectors recognize Basotho blankets both for their heritage and their investment. Vintage examples - especially those commemorating historical events or honoring Queen Victoria’s protection of the landlocked nation in 1865 - are highly sought after. Their value lies not just in rarity, but in their cultural specificity and bold references to key historical events in Lesotho’s history. 

In essence, Basotho blankets are wearable canvases—rich in history, meaning, and design. 

See William Marapemele’s collection here.