Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi's occasional poems, in isiXhosa and English translation, with a comprehensive introduction
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi (1875-1945) was the most prominent South African imbongi of his day, a Xhosa oral poet who declaimed his impromptu poetry on occasions of significance to his people. The author of numerous works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction, biography, autobiography and translation, Mqhayi's contributions to Xhosa-language newspapers remains unparalleled in scope and volume.
This book reclaims and assembles a chronological sequence of Mqhayi's occasional poems, for the most part now unknown - 60 poems celebrating significant events in the calendar, on occasions of national or international importance. They constitute Iziganeko zesizwe, a chronicle of the nation, between 1900 and 1943: poetic responses to events from the perspective of the greatest figure in Xhosa literature. Wars feature prominently in these occasional poems - the Boer War, the First World War, the invasion of Abyssinia, the Second World War - as do political deputations to England, visits from British princes and the death of British kings, the appearance of Halley's Comet and meetings with Ministers of State. Running through the collection is Mqhayi's proud and fierce determination to maintain an identity rooted in custom and history in the face of territorial dispossession, the loss of title deeds and the vote, and the steady erosion of human rights.
Throughout these years, Mqhayi remained constant in offering praise and encouragement to his people, in celebrating their achievements, and in expressing Christian consolation and an unflinching faith in the future liberation of South Africa's black population from foreign control.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press: Southern African Development Community
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Höhe: 230 mm
Breite: 150 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84701-448-1 (9781847014481)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
JEFF OPLAND held appointments at the University of Cape Town, University of Durban-Westville and Rhodes University and taught at the Universities of Toronto, Yale, and Leipzig as well as Vassar College before his retirement. PETER T. MTUZE is the most prolific living isiXhosa writer: he has produced novels, short stories, essays, drama, poetry, autobiography and language books. Mtuze's first book, UDingezweni (1966), is regarded as a classic novel. One of his singular achievements was his translation of former President Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, into isiXhosa. He worked on the University of Fort Hare Xhosa Dictionary Project, at the University of South Africa and at Rhodes University, where he retired as Professor Emeritus.
Herausgegeben und übersetzt von
Foreword by Barney Pityana
Introduction
Glossary of Xhosa words
Prologue
1. "U Kawulezis' Amaxesha": Quickens The Times (1924)
Ukufa nokuthwasa komnyaka: The death and dawn of a year
2. Imibuliso yo nyak' omtsha: New Year's greetings (1900)
3. Lifile madoda: The country's at war, men (1900)
4. Singama Britani!: We're British! (1900)
5. Namhla: Today (1901)
6. Imibuliso Yomnyak' Omtsha: New Year's greetings (1902)
7. Ilizwe lixolile, Singama Britani!!: The country's at peace: we're British!! (1902)
8. I Kresimesi ka 1906: Christmas 1906 (1906)
9. Ukufa ko 1906 nokungena ko 1907: The end of 1906 and the start of 1907 (1907)
10. Sise kwelidala! Singama Britani!!: As we've always said: we're British!! (1908)
11. I Kresmesi 1907: Christmas 1907 (1908)
12. Umnyak' Omtsha 1908: New Year 1908 (1908)
13. I Kilisimisi ka 1908: Christmas 1908 (1908)
14. U 1908 no 1909: 1908 and 1909 (1909)
15. Abatunywa Betu base Ngilane: Our envoys to Britain (1909)
16. Yibonen' Injombe Yakomkulu: Note the Great Place summons (1910)
17. Umqondiso: The sign (1910)
18. Aba-Tunywa (Nxusa) Betu: Our envoys (advocates) (1914)
19. Umnyaka omtsha, 1915: New Year 1915 (1915)
20. Ukuvulwa kwe Koleji e Fort Hare: The opening of Fort Hare University College (1916)
21. Umkosi Wemidaka: The dark-skinned army (1916)
22. Ukutshona kuka Mendi: The sinking of the Mendi (1922)
23. U 1921 no 1922: 1921 and 1922 (1922)
24. I Kresmesi ka '22: Christmas '22 (1922)
25. U-1922 no 1923: 1922 and 1923 (1922)
26. U-1924 no 1925: 1924 and 1925 (1925)
27. A, Mzimb' Uyaquma!: Hail, Steaming Body! (1925)
28. A! Zweliyazuza!: Hail, Land In Labour! (1925)
29. "Imfazwe!": "War!" (1926)
30. "1927" (1927)
31. Xmas 1927 (1928)
32. "1928" (1928)
33. Good Friday (1928)
34. I-Kresimesi ka-1928: Christmas 1928 (1928)
35. "1929" (1929)
36. A! Dumbu-Domboti!!: Hail, Dumbu-Domboti! (1929)
37. "1930" (1930)
38. U Jansen ema Xoseni: Jansen in Xhosaland (1930)
39. U 1931 no 1932: 1931 and 1932 (1931)
40. I-Kilisimesi: Christmas (1931)
41. U 1931 no 1932: 1931 and 1932 (1932)
42. I Kresimesi ka 1934: Christmas 1934 (1934)
43. U 1934 no 1935: 1934 and 1935 (1934)
44. I Jubhulu Yo Kumkani: The king's jubilee (1935)
45. U Thung' umlomo II: The Gag No. 2 (1935)
46. Umbongo Nge Abyssinia: A poem on Abyssinia (1935)
47. U "1935" Neenkosi zakwa Xhosa: 1935 and the Xhosa chiefs (1935)
48. U-"1936": 1936 (1936)
49. U Kumkani u Joji wesi Hlanu: King George V (1936)
50. "A, Zweliyazuza!" King Edward VIII: "Hail, Land In Labour!" King Edward VIII (1936)
51. I Kresmesi "1936": Christmas 1936 (1936)
52. I-Kresimesi ka 1937: Christmas 1937 (1937)
53. U 1937 No 1938: 1937 and 1938 (1938)
54. "1939" (1938)
55. Umkhosi wemi daka II: The dark-skinned army II (1940)
56. "U 1940 No 1941": 1940 and 1941 (1941)
57. I Xmas ka 1941: Xmas 1941 (1942)
58. "1942" (1942)
59. Xms 1942: Xmas 1942 (1942)
60. Kuni 1942 no 1943: To you, 1942 and 1943 (1943)
Sources
References
