Abyssinia Invasion
Autobiography
Biography
Boer War
British Kings
British Princes
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Christian Consolation
Chronological Sequence
English Translation
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Erosion of Human Rights
Fiction
First World War
Future Liberation
Halley's Comet
isiXhosa
Iziganeko zesizwe
Loss of Title Deeds
Loss of Vote
Ministers of State
Non-fiction
Occasional Poems
Poetry
Political Deputations
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi
Second World War
South Africa
Southern African Development Community
Territorial Dispossession
Translation
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press
Xhosa Oral Poet
Xhosa-language Newspapers
Product details
- ISBN 9781847014481
- Dimensions: 150 x 230mm
- Publication Date: 09 Dec 2025
- Publisher: James Currey
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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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
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.
