article

IZIBOBGO -- the political art of praising: poetical socio-regulative discourse in Zulu society

Journal of African cultural studies11 (2) • Published In 1998 • Pages: 171-196

By: Kresse, Kai.

Abstract
This paper presents Zulu praise-poetry, IZIBONGO, as a genre of fundamental political and socio-regulative relevance, an interpretation which with Zulu society seems to have been continually valid until today [1990s]. The central feature of IZIBONGO in this perspective concerns the ambiguous status of language in praising: in one and the same poem, it can also be used for the sake of public criticism. This is not only due to the logical possibilities of wordplay (i.e. using verbal artistry to ironize etc.) but is also enforced by the principle of 'poetic licence' which applies to most south-east African societies, granting freedom of expression to public statements made in the form of praise poetry.…This principle, in combination with the poet's obligation (a) to paint a full and true picture of the praised and the social life involved, and (b) to contribute to a socially accepted, just progression of social life, leads to IZIBONGO being regarded as documenting and forming a self-descriptive and normative social discourse of Zulu society (p. 171).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Functional and adaptational interpretations
Verbal arts
Personal names
Status, role, and prestige
Social control
culture
Zulu
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2004
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
ca.1820-1990s
Coverage Place
KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Notes
Kai Kresse
Includes bibliographical references (p.194-196)
LCSH
Zulu (African people)