Xhosa poets and poetry / Jeff Opland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Opland, Jeff, 1943- author.

Series:

Publications of the Opland Collection of Xhosa literature ; v. 5.

Publications of the Opland Collection of Xhosa literature ; volume 5

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Xhosa poetry--History and criticism.

Xhosa poetry.

Folk poetry, Xhosa.

Laudatory poetry, Xhosa.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 444 pages ; 23 cm.

Edition:

Second edition, updated and revised.

Place of Publication:

Pietermaritzburg : University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2017.

Summary:

"[The book] contains fourteen essays originally published between 1974 and 1996. Based on fieldwork conducted between 1969 and 1985, and on extensive archival research, the first six essays examine the social function of poetry in the community, the element of improvisation in the production of poetry, especially in the poetry of the imbongi, and the structural principles of his poetry. Individual poets are then presented, among them D.L.P. Yali-Manisi, Melikaya Mbutuma, Peter Mtuze and Nontsizi Mgqwetho, the first woman to produce a substantial body of poetry. The concluding four essays are thematic, treating issues introduced by the medium of print: the role of newspapers in fostering literature; censorship and control of the press; the damaging effects of changes in Xhosa spelling and the demand for books for school prescription; and, finally, the suspicion in which Xhosa poets held books and writing."--Back cover.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 413-432) and index.

ISBN:

1869143213

9781869143213

OCLC:

995306420