article
IZIBOBGO -- the political art of praising: poetical socio-regulative discourse in Zulu society
Journal of African cultural studies • 11 (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).
- 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)