Museum Saturday THE STORY BEHIND THE BASOTHO BLANKET talk by Steven Sack

The history of the Basotho blanket emerges out of intersecting human spaces. The missionaries, the traders, merchants, manufacturers and designers of the blankets – and the wearers. All share a joint responsibility in the creation of objects of material culture which have both symbolic significance and are objects of daily use.

Steven Sack will elaborate more on the earlier decorative and craft traditions of pre-colonial Sotho culture. As well as the secret language associated with aspects of the symbolic, spiritual and cultural values.

Blankets are available to purchase for R1000 per blanket.

The blanket has deep cultural significance. Most designs symbolize fertility and growth. Its tight, thick weave is soft, warm, and repels rain and wind, just as it has been designed to do for over a century.

Blankets are made from 50% wool and 50% dralon acrylic

Contact us at 021 888 3344 / grace@rupertmuseum.org

Image:

Oil painting by RD Shrubsole, 1948. Courtesy of Steven Sack