Chapter 13: Ancient Basotho Calendar
Phupu is the first month of the Basotho calendar and the season of ho fuputsa. This chapter follows Phato and the 12 months through their seasonal meanings.
Phupu — Phato: The First Month
The first month of the Basotho calendar is Phupu, which corresponds to July in the Gregorian calendar. At the beginning of this month, it is still very cold and nothing appears impressive for life in general. Yet in mid-July, summer begins and nature begins to conceive — ho fuputsa.
Phupu means ho fuputsa, a Sesotho word meaning to conceive. Nature (vegetation) at this time begins to turn green, which is visible to the naked eye, except in the coldest places.