This is the second part of S.E.K. Mqhayi’s poem “The Grave of the King”, which was originally published in the Xhosa newspaper, Izwi Labantu on December 8th 1908.
We have a river,
A river of great strength…
The Grave of the King — Part One
The Bird of the Forest Grows Restless
The following poem by the Xhosa imbongi, David Livingston Phakamile Yali-Manisi (1926–1999), was performed at a conference hosted by the University of Natal Oral Documentation and Research Centre (South Africa) in 1985.
The forest bird grows restless
one who always goes when sent…
Dubulihasa, the Ox
The story of Dubulihasa strictly falls within the tradition of Xhosa folktale (nstomi) and not poetry (izibongo) but I thought readers would find it interesting as the story has at its heart a song that is repeated throughout the tale.
“Dubulihasa!, Dubulihasa!
You must go, Dubulihasa!..
Zulu War Song
A song composed to celebrate the defeat of the British army under Lord Chelmsford at the battle of Isandlwana in January 1879. The defeat brought a decisive end to the first British invasion of Zululand.
Thou the great and mighty chief!
Thou hast an army!..
Two War Songs of King Mphande
Two war songs relating to King Mphande, Zulu king (1840–72), (see Praises of King Mphande). Half-brother to both Shaka (1816–28) and Dingane (1828–40), Mphande was regarded as too weak to be a threat when Dingane assassinated Shaka in 1828 and seized the throne.
He was rejected by Ndhlela
He was rejected…
