Oral Poetry from Africa
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…
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!..
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 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…
Another set of izibongo praises for King Mphande (Zulu king from 1840–1872 and half-brother to both Shaka and Dingane, see also Praises of King Mphande Zulu), recorded by E.W. Grant in the mid-1920s.
Here are the praises of Mpande of Noziqubo,
Umamiude who appeared by the head-crest…
Mphande kaSenzangakhona, Zulu king (1840–72), was half-brother to both Shaka (1816–28) and Dingane (1828–40). When Dingane assassinated Shaka in 1828, and seized the throne, Mphande survived the general massacre of Senzangakona’s descendants, a sign of Dingane’s contempt. But after Dingane’s catastrophic defeat by the Boers in 1838, Mphande took his revenge.
Mdayi make reply to the land across:
Who is he that can dare to summon Mdayi?…
