Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
51 - Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 June 2019
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
Summary
Isaiah it was who told us
to spurn strange gods on pain of death.
We toyed with God while whites looked on:
today our country's affliction itself.
Ah, the sorrow that siezes your land, Nontsizi,
all the things that bring us grief,
recalling our old Mgqwetho kin
wrapped in blankets of skin.
Begone with all their gods,
their ways rip out our hearts,
and so we don't know who we are,
and our great men all sit mum.
Oh the homestead standing alone
with easy access through its gates,
whose people once had plenty,
now a sign of oppression.
Something's rotten on African paths:
the next generation will gaze slack-jawed,
passers-by will shake their heads
at this home without hospitality.
Its enemies plundered the pots,
the knives and sacred vessels,
all the gourds and little trowels
passed down through generations.
They clapped shackles on you, Africa,
hurled you down with bible and musket.
There's something rotten in Africa now.
That rising sun made me think of Shaka.
Find support in the Scriptures.
Ethiopia should get involved.
We met Isaiah on the way home.
Christians, where are your bibles today?
Now their fiery breath
scorches those who received them.
What does the prophet Isaiah say?
When you've done with trampling, you'll be trampled.
Why can't you see what I've seen for so long?
Didn't Ntsikana tell you?
Our homes and our kingdoms all plundered,
Reds and Christians need passes to travel.
May the dumb arise in Africa!
The dumb arose in Decapolis,
the eyes of the blind were opened in Jericho:
may our blind regain their sight today.
The shooting star informed us:
spurn strange gods on pain of death.
The trumpet sounded, calling us.
There, Africa's petticoat's dropped.
Jehovah opened his arms to us,
Jehovah called us with all His might.
Peace, Voracious, browsing the tops,
yours is the day, Thunderarmed.
Peace indeed!!
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- Nation's BountyThe Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho, pp. 240 - 243Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2007