Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies Vol. 21 (2) December 2011 103 Male-oriented proverbs in Sesotho Palesa Khotso Lesotho College of Education P.O. Box 234 THABA-TSEKA 0550 Lesotho Email: palesa09khotso@yahoo.com Mashudu C Mashige Department of Applied Languages Tshwane University of Technology Private Bag X680 PRETORIA 0001 Email: MashigeMC@tut.ac.za Abstract While some scholars who study male-oriented Sesotho proverbs indicate that these proverbs show an elevating and positive social attitude towards men, the observation is that Basotho men are disadvantaged due to the use of these male-oriented proverbs. Much as these proverbs are said to promote strength, endurance, bravery and wisdom; negative implications that can be deduced from the interpretation of these proverbs exist as well. This paper seeks to study how male-oriented proverbs disadvantage Basotho males. The paper will also observe the consequences resulting from the use of male-oriented proverbs among the Basotho. 1. Introduction Many scholars who study Sesotho proverbs perceive them as one aspect of the Sesotho language which is biased and inclined to support men. An examination of studies on Sesotho male-oriented proverbs clearly reveals this perspective that Sesotho proverbs buttress male strength. Scholars like Sekese (1994) and Lesitsi (1994) in their Sesotho proverbs collection have made elaborate explanations. In their explanation of Sesotho male-oriented proverbs, males are associated with positive attributes. To buttress this point, Machobane (1996:35) indicates that in male-oriented Sesotho proverbs, Ǯ… males are associated with attributes such as strength, endurance, bravery, super ordinary, secretiveness and wisdom. The attributes that Machobaneǯs study addresses are highly positive about a man among the Basotho. Machobaneǯs observation is not peculiar to the Basotho. Uchendu (2008:13) also indicates: In all societies, men in patriarchal settings were irrefutably the favoured class: an esteemed group that grew from childhood to manhood culturally imbued with notions that made them believe they were superior and had multiple privileges including inherent rights to dominate. In trying to understand Uchendu (ibid) many societies tend to appreciate males more than women. Male-oriented Sesotho proverbs simply express this fact.