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Question 1
1. Read the case study titled “The Basotho Cultural Village” and answer the questions that
follow.
The Basotho cultural village, situated at the golden gate Highlands National Park in Clarens offers a
unique South African experience in which you can learn about traditional Sotho arts and crafts and
their way of life. It consists of a rest camp that resembles an 18th-century Sotho village combined with
replica homesteads dating from the 16th century to the present day. These showcase good examples of
the mural art of the Sotho people, known as “litema”. The replica homesteads do more than document
the evolution of Sotho culture. Visitors are also invited to taste the local beer brewed on-site, share
local food, enjoy traditional dances, meet village elders and learn how local arts and crafts are
produced. Most of the objects produced in the village are for sale, along with items sourced from
further afield in Free State province. Traditional Sotho villages abound with crafters who work from
home. They produce pottery, fabrics, beadwork and grass hats, mats and baskets using traditional
techniques and local materials. You can arrange to visit some of these crafters, or simply buy their
products at the Basotho Cultural Village. You will also find iconic, conical Sotho hats, called
“mokorotlo”, on sale at the village. They are used to keep the sun at bay, as well as for cultural
festivals. Also, look out for traditional Sotho blankets. Their designs and colours are significant, and
blankets are worn in different ways for different ritual purposes.
Source:
https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/getting-cultural-in-the-mountains-at-the-basotho-cultur
al-village (Accessed: 16 July 2024)
1.1. Discuss 10 indirect effects of cultural tourism with reference to the case study above.
Economic Diversification - The Basotho Cultural Village contributes to economic
diversification in Clarens by introducing tourism as a supplementary income stream. This
reduces the community's dependency on traditional forms of income such as agriculture or
livestock farming.
Employment Creation - The cultural tourism initiative at the Basotho Cultural Village creates
jobs for local people, ranging from tour guides and dancers to artisans and vendors selling
traditional crafts and foods.
Support for Local Craftsmanship - The demand for traditional Sotho arts and crafts, such as
pottery, beadwork, and the iconic mokorotlo hats, stimulates the local economy by providing a
market for artisans. This supports and sustains traditional crafts and skills, ensuring their
survival for future generations.
Cultural Preservation - The Basotho Cultural Village helps preserve and promote Sotho
cultural heritage, including traditional dances, food, and crafts. This ensures that these cultural
practices are passed down to future generations, thereby preventing their potential loss.
