Theory of ethnicity and its utility in understanding the basis of cultural homogeneity of African societies: the case of Sotho groups

Abstract

The Basotho, Batswana and Bapedi are found in many parts of southern Africa and appear as dissimilar groups that do not have a common heritage or any shared links. The Batswana are from the North West province in South Africa and Botswana; the Bapedi from the Northern provinces of South Africa and the Basotho from Lesotho and the Free State province of South Africa. However, they are classified as belonging to one Sotho group in the literature of heritage studies. Matšela and Moletsane declare that the Sotho people are related, indicating similar cultural roots and origin. The central focus of this article is to analyse the abovementioned scholars’ view in explaining the Sotho. They allude to the extensive writings of Gellner and Smith about the similarity of a people. The purpose of the study is to place Gellner and Smith’s theories as central in African languages. Although these theories originate in international relations, their argument is that oral literature (stories, proverbs, songs) seeks to indicate a common heritage across groups of people. The study seeks to expand the potential of Matšela and Moletsane’s views in explaining similar people in African languages.