Puseletso Seema, Lesotho's "Queen of Famo," faces poverty despite her musical legacy. Famo, a pastoral accordion music deeply tied to Basotho culture, originated with shepherds and evolved in South African mines. Once a male-dominated genre, Seema was the first woman to record it. Today, famo is tragically linked to gang violence, leading to a government ban on some groups and media reporting, with the Prime Minister labeling offenders as "terrorists." This violence, fueled by lyrical insults and territorial disputes, has even infiltrated politics and spread to South Africa.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
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