Mosimoli

Overview

Mosimoli visits her parents’ household and prepares food from their extraordinary butter-producing pot for herself and Mosimotsane. Her mother angrily summons her back, while the sister denies that the mother has been scolding. The mother kills Mosimoli and casts her remains into a pool near the fountain. A crocodile moulds her in the water until she becomes Mosimoli again.

Mosimotsane’s pitcher repeatedly sticks to the ground after the other girls have drawn water. Left alone, she sees her restored sister emerge leaning on an iron staff. Mosimoli recalls the lie that brought her back to danger, muddies the water and directs her sister to take it home. In a later encounter she strikes Mosimotsane with the staff. The younger sister eventually tells the parents, and their father secretly watches an appearance. Mosimoli rejects his claim to her, declaring the crocodile her parents because it restored her.

The father brings cattle to redeem her. The crocodile first consults Mosimoli, and she consents. It then brings out a mat, her clothes and ornaments, and finally the woman herself with her iron staff. She leaves with cattle and a pack ox carrying her belongings, returning first home and then to the place where she was married. The complete ending preserves her decision to return, rather than depicting a permanent ghost haunting the fountain.

Origins & earliest records

Jacottet’s bilingual XXIV includes comparisons to Sekese, Casalis and Junod, but its complete main narrative is kept distinct. No individual contributor is named in this inspected witness.

Records & interpretation

XXIV, Mosimoli and Mosimotsane, complete bilingual pp. 166–175; English pp. 166, 168, 170, 172, 174. Crocodile’s restoration p. 168; iron-staff appearances pp. 170–174; consent, cattle, belongings and departure p. 174. Translation caveat for grinding-stone term p. 168.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, vol. I

   Édouard Jacottet, collector and translator; J. C. Smith, English text assistance · 1908

   XXIV, Mosimoli and Mosimotsane, complete bilingual pp. 166–175; English pp. 166, 168, 170, 172, 174. Crocodile’s restoration p. 168; iron-staff appearances pp. 170–174; consent, cattle, belongings and departure p. 174. Translation caveat for grinding-stone term p. 168.

2. 02

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, volume I

   Unnamed Sesotho narrative contributor; Édouard Jacottet, editor and translator; J. C. Smith, English text correction · 1908

   The Treasury of Ba-suto Lore, volume I, Morija/London, 1908, title-page OCR. Full preface and introduction xxii method statement read; complete XXIV, Mosimoli and Mosimotsane, bilingual printed pp.166–175, English pp.166/168/170/172/174 and all explanatory notes independently read. Facing Sesotho placement inspected without independent translation.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Located primary passages

Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Collected Se-Suto text with English translation and notesJacottet — complete Mosimoli narrativeResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.