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All Lesotho Ha Kome Cave Dwellings
AO Edited

Ha Kome Cave Dwellings

An 18th-century hideout became a permanent and ongoing residence for one Lesotho tribe.

Lesotho

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James
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About

The cliff overhangs of Ha Kome are a series of cave dwellings an hour's drive from Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. While their exact history is unknown, the current inhabitants are descended from Basia tribesmen and women who first made the overhang home in the late 1800s. 

The Mefcane ("the Crushing") was a period of intense socio-political unrest during the 1820s and 30s throughout southern Africa, defined by widespread drought, forced migration, and inter-tribal warfare. To flee the ongoing violence, the Basia began using the overhang as a hideout at some point in the late 1800s, though trademark cave paintings indicate San Bushmen dwelt here even earlier. 

In time, the Basia came to build homes out of mud, which have been continuously occupied since then. Today, several families who live in these dwellings welcome visitors into their homes.

Related Tags

Tribes War Houses Cave Paintings Caves Africa

Know Before You Go

Ha Kome is easy enough to find using Google Maps, but you'll need a vehicle with a high clearance to make it down the dirt road.  Stop in at the Visitor's Center, and a friendly guide will hop in to show you the way.

Community Contributors

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jamesvachowski

Edited By

lukefater

  • lukefater

Published

February 22, 2022

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Sources
  • https://www.britannica.com/event/Mfecane
  • https://www.visitlesotho.travel/things-to-do/kome-cave-dwelling-p680051
Ha Kome Cave Dwellings
Lesotho
-29.244438, 27.866938
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Ha Baroana Cave Paintings

Metolong, Lesotho

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lesotho

Lesotho

Africa

Places 7

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Ha Baroana Cave Paintings

Metolong, Lesotho

miles away

Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lesotho

Lesotho

Africa

Places 7

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