The Dynamic Character of Botho as Depicted in the Basotho Folktale of Phokojwe le Mokoko

Sep 18, 2026

This investigation examines botho as presented in the Basotho folktale Phokojwe le Mokoko, starting from the proverb Mothoke motho ka batho (“a person is a person through other people”). The study links compassion, sincerity, and humanness to botho, while arguing that human nature is dynamic and not limited to always seeking peace. Using psychodynamic theory with textual and thematic analysis, the study finds botho is portrayed through varying personalities, with Phokojwe lacking compassion and humanness. The study concludes that inner conflicts and social experiences guide better choices, and that Basotho folktales remain relevant for decision-making in society.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Introduction

Theoretical Framework

Forum for Linguistic Studies [https://journals.bilpubgroup.com/index.php/fls](https://journals.bilpubgroup.com/index.php/fls) ARTICLE The Dynamic Character of Botho as Depicted in the Basotho Folktale of Phokojwe le Mokoko Masowa Aaron Mpho Department ofAfrican Languages, University of South Africa, Preller Str, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0002, South Africa ABSTRACT This investigation was inspired by the description of botho that is currently available. The phrase “botho”, which is commonly used to describe a distinct kind of African humanism, specifically originates from the Basotho proverb Mothoke motho ka batho, which translates to “a person is a person through other people”. There was a correlation between compassion, sincerity, and humanness as key African characteristics. This study argues that human nature—botho—should not be read too narrowly or as biased, as it is not always seeking peace. Because human nature is a dynamic phenomenon, Basotho folktales, such as Phokojwe le Mokoko, have always highlighted a variety of human attributes to raise awareness of the various personalities that exist in society. The folktale Phokojwe le Mokoko was examined and interpreted in a study that utilized Psychodynamic Theory, which considers human behavior, interpersonal connections, social issues, and the environment. The data were collected using textual and thematic analyses. The findings ofthis study revealed that bothois dynamic, as portrayed by Phokojwe le Mokoko, as Phokojwe lacks compassion, sincerity, and humanness. This study concludes that people should use both inner conflicts and social experiences to inform their choices, and that Basotho folktales are still relevant and can be used to help people in making good decisions. Keywords: Basotho Folktale; Botho; Intrapsychic; Dynamic; African Humanism; Psychodynamic *CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Masowa Aaron Mpho, Department of African Languages, University of South Africa, Preller Str, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; Email: [masowam@unisa.ac.za](masowam@unisa.ac.za) ARTICLE INFO Received: 3 February 2025 | Revised: 18 February 2025 | Accepted: 13 March 2025 | Published Online: 10 June 2025 DOI: [https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.8638](https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.8638) CITATION Mpho, M.A., 2025 . The Dynamic Character of Botho as Depicted in the Basotho Folktale of Phokojwe le Mokoko. Forum for Linguistic Studies. 7(6): 751–761. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.8638](https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.8638) COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2025 by the author(s) . Published by Bilingual Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)). 1. Background and Introduction In Basotho culture, the concept of Botho, frequently interpreted as “humanity” or “humanness”, underscores the interdependence of individuals and their mutual obligations. It is founded on respect, care, and shared responsibilities within the community. Researchers in several disciplines have examined this theory; however, its significance in analysing the dynamic character of folktales remains relatively underexplored [1–7] . The Basotho people used folktales to pass down moral lessons from one generation to another. According to Masowa [8], folktales are referred to as “oral” literature because they are traditional stories that were passed down orally from one generation to the next, long before writing systems were invented. Basotho, the residents of Lesotho and South Africa, employ folktales to instill discipline and values in society. The folktale Phokojwe le Mokoko offers a compelling illustration of these values, showing how personal actions and relationships can either build or disrupt community harmony. The narrative of Phokojwe le Mokoko, translated as “The Jackal and Cock”, is

FAQs

What is the origin and meaning of “botho” in this study?

The study traces botho to the Basotho proverb Mothoke motho ka batho, meaning “a person is a person through other people,” and connects it with compassion, sincerity, and humanness.

Why does the study argue botho should not be read too narrowly?

It argues botho is dynamic and not always directed toward peace, since human nature varies and can be portrayed through different personalities in society.

How is the folktale Phokojwe le Mokoko analyzed?

The folktale is examined and interpreted using psychodynamic theory, with data collected through textual and thematic analyses.

Sep 18, 2026

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