Morija

The small, but engaging village of Morija is the centre of the vibrant interaction between Sotho culture and the west. It is 45 km south of Maseru and deep in the Caledon valley. The town is the site of the earliest mission in Lesotho, founded in 1833. It nestles below sandstone cliffs in a lovely setting. Dinosaur footprints, those of the Lesothosaurus, have been discovered in the hills above Morija.

As the oldest town in Lesotho (having been founded in 1833 by pioneer French Protestant missionaries), Morija boasts many historical buildings, including the Morija Museum and Archives, which is the national museum of Lesotho. Although small, it is well laid out with some very interesting exhibits covering history, ethnography, palaeontology and the future of Lesotho. It will give one a good overview of the country. The museum provides a clear insight into the Kingdom’s history from Moshoeshoe I. There are also some priceless prehistoric finds and fossils. The curator, Stephen Gill, is extremely helpful and friendly. There are also many interesting publications on sale.

Morija also has a small conference centre - Mophato oa Morija, and a craft centre. Other things of interest in Morija is the oldest house in the country, the oldest church that was church built in the 1850's and the oldest printing works in the country that is more than a hundred years old.

Stephen Gill has brought out an excellent booklet called "Guide to Morija" which adds immeasurably to a visit to Morija. Get it at the museum. It includes detail on the history of Morija and a walking tour of the town with 24 points of interest described. It also includes information on other trails in the area including "Mountain Lakes", "Dinosaur Footprints" and "The Makhoarane Trail". The booklet concludes with tree and bird lists for Morija, geology of the area and a map. Morija is well worth a visit.