Xhosa Poets and Poetry


Book Description

Xhosa oral poetry has defied the threats to its integrity over two centuries, to take its place in a free South Africa. This volume establishes the background to this poetic re-emergence, preserving and transmitting the voice of the Xhosa poet.




Complete Xhosa: A Teach Yourself Guide


Book Description

It's easy to teach yourself Xhosa! Complete Xhosa: A Teach Yourself Guide provides you with a clear and comprehensive approach to Xhosa, so you can progress quickly from the basics to understanding, speaking, and writing Xhosa with confidence. Within each of the 24 thematic chapters, important language structures are introduced through life-like dialogues. You'll learn grammar in a gradual manner so you won't be overwhelmed by this tricky subject. Exercises accompany the texts and reinforce learning in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This program also features current cultural information boxes that reflect recent changes in society. Features: One and five-minute introductions to key principles to get you started Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of the basics of the language




My First Xhosa ( IsiXhosa ) Alphabets Picture Book with English Translations


Book Description

Did you ever want to teach your kids the basics of Xhosa ( isiXhosa ) ? Learning Xhosa ( isiXhosa ) can be fun with this picture book. In this book you will find the following features: Xhosa ( isiXhosa ) Alphabets. Xhosa ( isiXhosa ) Words. English Translations.




Xhosa Oral Poetry


Book Description

This book, first published in 1983, was the first detailed study of the Xhosa oral poetry tradition.







An English-Xhosa Companion for Health-care Professionals


Book Description

A phrase book for health-care professionals who need to communicate with Xhosa-speaking patients. It includes introductory exchanges aimed at putting patients at ease, history taking, physical examination, and the explanations required to inform patients about the nature of special investigations.




Ngoni, Xhosa and Scot


Book Description

"This collection of essays and lectures by Jack Thompson provides a rich resource for people interested in the history of Malawi. It shines a bright light not only on the planting and growth of Christianity in the Northern Region of Malawi, but also on the Ngoni people, their role in that story and in the history of Malawi in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century."--BOOK JACKET.




Getting to know yourself as a South African, Unravelling Xhosa History


Book Description

Journey into Forgotten Roots: A Xhosa Odyssey Have you ever felt a deep connection to your heritage, only to discover there's more to the story? This is exactly what happened to the author, a Xhosa native raised in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This book is an exploration of identity, ancestry, and the surprising complexities of the Xhosa nation. Immerse yourself in a vibrant culture passed down through generations, from fireside storytelling to ancient rituals. But the journey takes an unexpected turn. As the author delves deeper, he uncovers a hidden truth: the Xhosa weren't always a unified nation. Prepare to be surprised by the rich tapestry of tribes that make up this remarkable people. This story goes beyond Xhosa history. It's a celebration of South Africa's diverse Bantu tribes, exploring the common threads that bind them together. It's a reminder that despite our differences, we share a deeper connection than we realize. But be warned, this book doesn't shy away from the complexities. It explores how shared ancestry doesn't always guarantee peace, drawing parallels from historical conflicts to ancient myths. Ultimately, this is a story about embracing our individuality while recognizing our shared humanity. It's a call for unity and a celebration of South Africa's vibrant cultural tapestry. Join the author on this unforgettable odyssey of discovery. Uncover the forgotten roots of the Xhosa nation and embark on a journey of self-discovery along the way.




The House of Phalo


Book Description

"In this first modern history of the Xhosa, J.B. Peires relates the story of one of the most numerous and important indigenous peoples in contemporary South Africa from their consolidation, through an era of cooperation and conflict with whites (whom the Xhosa regarded as uncivilized), to the frontier wars that eventuated in their present position as a subordinate group in the modern South African state"--Back cover.




Xhosa and Russian Folktales


Book Description

The purpose of this publication is to indicate that Xhosa iintsomi (folktales) are structured in such a way that many links or commonalities emerge when a comparison between tales is made. Orally transmitted literary forms had to endure much prejudice and were often not considered worthy of study. However, in many different cultures all over the world, the concept of oral literature and its functioning still exists. There are various forms of oral literature, but one of the best known is the folktale. Folklorist and formalist, Vladimir Propp (1895-1970), aimed to describe the story structure of Russian folktales according to a linear sequence of the acts of the characters. Using one hundred folktales, he illustrated how the storylines of these tales are remarkably similar - identical actions are often performed, only by different characters. The somewhat surprising and obvious links between Propp's material and Xhosa iintsomi prompted the choice of Propp's model as the departure point for this comparative study. Forty'five Xhosa folktales were chosen because of their literary quality and suitability to Propp's methodology as a tool to organise the Xhosa data on the grounds of structural features that characterise this genre.