This skill is a necessity. Even in urban areas, families of modest means still must fetch water from a community pump. Meeting the water needs of one family requires several trips to a water source each day. Travel time may be more than thirty minutes, depending on the source and the time of year. It may also require the water bearer to climb hills and navigate other challenges of Lesotho's rugged terrain.
Girls begin practicing the art of water carrying when they are very young.
First, they walk with water-filled tin cans on their heads, without using hands to steady the can. Soon they run relay races in recess competitions. By the time they are teenagers, these girls will balance heavy water buckets on their heads with seeming ease and grace. Like the entire region of southern Africa, Lesotho is a relatively arid land. Rural Basotho who depend on farming especially do not take the gifts of rain for granted.