Lesedi, the African Lodge

Today we're going to Lesedi African Lodge, a little African multi-cultural village. It's a little bit uphill north from Pretoria, about 1.5 hours drive. We got a very warm welcome by the chief of the village and the so-called hottest african prince, who was to be our guide later. I was stunned, to be in such real authentic African environment and to meet real African people in their original costumes!


Lesedi prince and the Lady...so stylish!

In Lesedi, we were taken to see different African ethnic groups, their traditional little villages and their various customs and cultures.
There are five traditional homesteads – the Zulus (most famous one, i think) with their fighting sticks and cosy beehive huts, the Xhosa with their perfectly thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets, the rhythmic drums and whistles of the Pedi tribe, the conical straw hats and thick, coloured blankets of the Basotho and the colourful homes of the Ndebele.


one of African graphic art: Ndebele mural

The tour programs were divided into 2, Monati and Boma experiences. In the Monati exp, we attended a multi-visual theatre presentation on the history and origin of African peoples, then in small groups, we're taken on a guided tour to visit the little villages. We were taught to say some African greetings in different languages, then we were welcome to get into the house with very low entrance, we also got to try their freshly ground corns/beans (mangkuknya dari kotoran hewan yang mengeras,... yikes.. kaya lantai di Lombok!)


hypnotizing traditional song...wowww (mirip kulintang?)

After a short break, we're taken to meet in the Boma for traditional song and dance of all the villages. It was so cool!!! I would love to learn the dance. The dance culminated in communal dancing, with the guests were also taken to dance around the fire. I feel touched by the union people from different ethnics and nations came together and dance.


Lesedi women from different ethnic groups, crafting.


Beads crafting... tekun skali, bu.

I found African little children are sooo cute! bulet dan padat, hitam, rambut kriwil, kriwil..lincah pula! Gemesss. And they welcome us enthusiastically! Though, a bit affraid when we came to take pics...hahaha, so cute.


Cute little African kids at Lesedi village.


lingkaran kecil, lingkaran kecil, lingkaran besar :-)

Lesedi is a Sotho word that means, “LIGHT”.
The African people said that "Our culture is the light of our nation – whoever walks here amongst our cultures at Lesedi can also see the light".

It was a whole new experience for me. It's sO Africa!