Morena (King) June 15, 2008
Posted by Rethabile in sesotho, vocabulary.Tags: sesotho
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He refers to Khotso as Murena, a SeSotho word for chief.
“He (Khotso) was a very a mysterious man. I am 84 today, and even to me his life is still a mystery,” said Lunika, as he adjusts himself for the interview on a sofa in his home in Southernwood, Mthatha.
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In Lesotho we write it as “morena,” although the pronunciation is indeed between “o” and “u” in both South Africa and Lesotho. Morena can be a term of respect between two men, same age or not. “Lumela, Morena,” for example.
The paramount chief of Lesotho is referred to as “Morena e moholo,” which literally means the big king. The plural of Morena is Marena, as in Marena a Lesotho, or the kings of Lesotho.
The South African anthem, Nkosi, Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) has a Sesotho part that begins, “Morena, boloka sechaba sa heso.” Lord, protect my people. If you recall, the anthem is in Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English, four of the eleven official languages of South Africa.
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