
- 118 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Amal’ezulu
About this book
Amal'ezulu (Zulu Horizons), first published in 1945 in the Bantu (later, African) Treasury Series by the University of the Witwatersrand Press, was the second volume of poetry produced by the renowned Zulu author B.W. Vilakazi. It was written during the ten years he spent living in Johannesburg, in 'exile' from his birthplace, KwaZulu-Natal. The poems in this collection represent a turning point in Vilakazi's life; they express yearnings for the beloved land, animals and ancestral spirits of his rural home, as well as expressions of deep disillusionment with the urban life he encountered in the 'City of Gold', and in particular the suffering of the black miners who brought this gold to the surface but never experienced the benefits of the wealth it produced for the mine owners. Vilakazi was deeply conscious of the subhuman system that held these miners in its grip, and gave voice to their suffering in many of the poems in the collection, in particular the now famous poem 'Ezinkomponi' ('On the mine compounds').
Renowned as the father of Nguni literature, Vilakazi was both a traditional imbongi (bard) and a forward-looking poet who could fuse Western poetic forms with Zulu izibongo (praise poetry). In these poems he assumes the role of the voice of the voiceless, and gives poignant expression to the stoic endurance of those caught up in the brutalities of capitalist exploitation of African labour, and the appalling injustices of the migrant labour system.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Isingeniso
- Introduction
- 1. Ugqozi
- 2. Imbongi
- 3. Umthandazo Wembongi
- 4. OKomhlaba Kuyadlula
- 5. Imfundo Ephakeme
- 6. Wo, Ngitshele Mntanomlungu!
- 7. Yin’ Ukwazi?
- 8. Wo, Leli Khehla!
- 9. Ukuhlwa
- 10. Inyanga
- 11. Ukuthula
- 12. Nayaphi?
- 13. Ngoba ... Sewuthi
- 14. Izinsimbi zesonto
- 15. KwaDedangendlale
- 16. Imifula Yomhlaba
- 17. UMamina
- 18. NgoMbuyazi Endondakusuka
- 19. Ezinkomponi
- 20. Sengiyakholwa