Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Basotho Hat Shop

The Basotho Hat Shop is a landmark, craft shop, and tourist attraction located in Maseru, Lesotho.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Basotho Hat Shop
Mokorotlo building
Map
Interactive map of the Basotho Hat Shop area
General information
TypeRondavel1
Architectural style
Novelty
LocationKingsway Road, Maseru, Lesotho
Coordinates29°18′49″S 27°29′12″E / 29.31361°S 27.48667°E / -29.31361; 27.48667
OpenedApril 28, 19622
Renovated20003
Demolished1998
Technical details
MaterialThatch
Design and construction
ArchitectColin Unsworth2

The Basotho Hat Shop is a landmark, craft shop, and tourist attraction located in Maseru, Lesotho.4

The building is conical in shape, and was originally constructed with reinforced concrete and a thatched roof.45 It was designed by Colin Unsworth, then the Assistant Government Architect, and opened on April 28, 1962.2

The building is an example of novelty architecture as it is built to resemble a Mokorotlo, a traditional type of straw hat and national symbol of Lesotho.4 The Mokorotlo was in turn inspired by the conical shape of Mount Qiloane.6 The building operates as a craft shop, selling locally made, traditional handmade products, including Basotho hats, masks, pottery, and wood crafts and to tourists.47

In 2000, the building belonged to Lesotho Cooperative Handicrafts and employed 11 Basotho crafters.3

Rebuilding

The building originally opened in 1962.5 In September 1998, during civil unrest in Maseru, the Basotho Hat building was destroyed by fire.48 In 2000, the government allocated L5,200,000 for a rebuilding project.3 In 2000 at the inauguration of the newly rebuilt Basotho Hat Shop, the then prime minister, Pakalitha Mosisili, called the building a "landmark and symbol of unity", and said that the building "indicates our identity as a nation."3

  • Mount Qiloane, the legendary conical mountain close to Thaba Bosiu, said to have inspired the mokorotlo.
    Mount Qiloane, the legendary conical mountain close to Thaba Bosiu, said to have inspired the mokorotlo.
  • An example of a Mokorotl, a traditional straw hat
    An example of a Mokorotl, a traditional straw hat
  • Basotho Hat Shop with a view of Kingsway
    Basotho Hat Shop with a view of Kingsway
  • View of the Basotho Hat Shop within the city of Maseru
    View of the Basotho Hat Shop within the city of Maseru
References

References

  1. Unsworth, Andrew (April 9, 2017). "Lesotho: Land of lovely ghosts". Sunday Times.
  2. Ambrose, David (2010). Arts & Crafts. House 9 Publications. p. 10. ISBN 9789991137711.
  3. Matjama, Thabang (May 16, 2000). "Lesotho: Basotho Hat Innuagurated". Mopheme/The Survivor (Maseru).
  4. Ballaro, Beverly (February 2, 2026), Our World: Lesotho (Country Report), doi:10.3331/our_world_481_250119, ISBN 9781429800648
  5. Hancock, Peter (1977). Architectural development in Lesotho (Masters thesis). University of Cape Town. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  6. Mzolo, Shoks (4 September 2015). "Thaba Bosiu: Where the mountain is king". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  7. Bradley, John; Bradley, Liz; Fine, Victoria; Vidar, Jon (May 2011). South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland. Modern Overland. p. 590. ISBN 9781609870676.
  8. Molefe, Themba (September 25, 1998). "Lesotho: Maseru is a gutted ruin". The Sowetan (Johannesburg).