ABSTRACT
There are four principal social groups to which the Basuto normally belong: the nation, the clan, the village and the family. There are other groups to which the Basuto may also belong, such as the church, school and various associations, but membership of these is voluntary and terminable at any time, whereas membership of the former is a permanent and essential feature of a Mosuto's life. The nation is essentially a political group and is composed of all who acknowledge the authority of the Paramount Chief, and includes everyone living in Basutoland. The most common clans to be found at present in Basutoland are the Fokeng, Hlakoana, Khoakhoa, Phuthing, Tlokoa, Sia, Taung, Tloung, Kholokoe, Phetla, Polane and Phuthi. The basic family group is the biological family of parents and children. This widens out to include parents' parents and children's children, together with the brothers and sisters of all these individuals and their wives and children in ever-widening circles.
