Intellectualisation of isiXhosa literature: the case of Jeff Opland

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2309-9070/tvl.v.54i2.413

Keywords:

history of isiXhosa literature, intellectualisation, isiXhosa literary archive, isiXhosa literature, Jeff Opland, oral literature

Abstract

The origins of the intellectualisation of written isiXhosa literature are often attributed to the missionaries John Ross and John Bennie. They set up a printing press in the Tyhume Valley which later became known as Lovedale Press. They introduced written isiXhosa in 1823 and for this they are acknowledged as the first to write and publish in isiXhosa. This article attempts to trace this intellectualisation process of isiXhosa literature, concentrating on a critique and assessment of the life-long work of Professor Jeff Opland, who has contributed enormously to the present understanding of both oral and written isiXhosa literature. It is argued in this article that his corpus of books and academic articles require some contextualisation within the broader debate of the continued intellectualisation of isiXhosa language and literature. Reference is also made to the Opland isiXhosa literature archive and its contribution to the further intellectualisation of isiXhosa literature. It is suggested in this article that Opland is one of the greatest contributors to academic debates concerning isiXhosa literature and history. Izibongo or oral poems written by, and about Jeff Opland are analysed to further enhance the context of his contribution.


Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Russell Harold Kaschula, Rhodes University

Professor of African language studies and NRF Chair holder in the School of Languages.

References

Alexander, N., ed. The intellectualisation of African languages. Cape Town: PRAESA; University of Cape Town, 2005.

_____. The potential role of translation as social practice for the intellectualisation of African Languages. Occasional Paper No. 33. Cape Town: PRAESA, 2010.

_____. Thoughts on the New South Africa. Johannesburg: Jacana, 2013.

Dlutu, B. “The impact of social network sites on written isiXhosa: A case study of a rural and urban high school.” MA thesis. Rhodes University, 2013.

Finlayson, R. and M. Madiba. “The intellectualisation of the indigenous languages of South Africa: challenges and prospects.” Current Issues in Language Planning 3.1 (2002): 40–61.

Foley, A. Email communication with Professor Jeff Opland. 18 Jan. 2011.

Gérard, A. Four African Literatures: Xhosa, Sotho, Zulu, Amharic. Berkeley: U of California P, 1971.

_____ et al. Comparative Literature and African literatures. Pretoria: Via Afrika, 1995.

Hodgson, J. “The genius of Ntsikana: Traditional images and the process of change in early Xhosa literature.” Literature and Society in South Africa. Eds. L. White and T. Couzens. Johannesburg: Ravan Press, 1984. 22–35.

Irele, A. 1971. “The criticism of modern African literature.” Perspectives on African Literature. Ed. C. Heywood. London: Heinemann, 1971. 40–62.

Jordan, A. C. Ingqumbo yeminyanya. Alice: Lovedale Press, 1940.

_____. Kwezo mpindo zeTsitsa. Alice: Lovedale Press, 1972.

_____. The Wrath of the Ancestors. Alice: Lovedale Press, 1980.

_____. Towards and African Literature. The Emergence of Literary Form in Xhosa. California: U of California P, 1973.

Kaschula, R. H. “Preachers and poets: oral poetry within the religious cosmology of the Xhosa.” South African Journal of African Languages. 15.1 (1995): 65–73.

_____. The bones of the ancestors are shaking. Xhosa oral poetry in context. Cape Town: Juta, 2002.

_____. “Xhosa literary history: towards transformation in selected Xhosa novels.” South African Journal of African Languages. 23. 2 (2003): 60–76.

_____ and A. Mostert. “From oral literature to technauriture. What’s in a name?” Occasional Paper 4. World Oral Literature Project. Voices of vanishing worlds. Cambridge: Cambridge U P, 2011. 1–9.

Makhathini, F. “The development of isiZulu as an academic language for the teaching of fundamental concepts in economics.” MA thesis. Rhodes University, 2011.

Mazwi, N. “Edition, translation and critical analysis of unpublished biographical poems contributed by S. E. K. Mqhayi to early isiXhosa newspapers.” Diss. Rhodes University, 2017.

Mostert, A. “Developing a systematic model for the capturing and utilisation of African oral poetry: The Bongani Sitole experience.” MA thesis. Rhodes University, 2010.

Ngqayiyana, N. C. “USiphateleni Kula neencwadi zakhe.” MA thesis. University of Cape Town, 2006.

Nteso, T. 2013. “A critical analysis of Sesotho ICT terminology.” MA thesis. Rhodes University, 2013.

Nxasana-Mkhize, T. “Nontsizi Mgqwetho’s the nation’s bounty: A prophetic voice towards an African literary theory.” Diss. Rhodes University, 2015.

Opland, J. Abantu Besizwe: Historical and Biographical Writings, 1902–1944, SEK Mqhayi. Johannesburg: Wits U P, 2009.

_____. Manuscript proposal to University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Press, 2013.

_____. The Dassie and the Hunter: A South African Meeting. Durban: U of KwaZulu-Natal P, 2005.

_____. “The image of the book in Xhosa oral poetry.” Current Writing. Text and Reception in Southern Africa 7.2. (1995): 31–48.

_____. The Nation’s Bounty: The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgwetho. Johannesburg: Wits U P, 2007.

_____. “The publication of A. C. Jordan’s Xhosa novel, Ingqumbo yeminyanya (1940).”

Research in African Literatures 21 (1990): 135–47.

_____. Words that Circle Words: A Choice of South African Oral Poetry. Johannesburg: Ad Donker, 1992.

_____. “Xhosa literature in newspapers, 1837–1909.” Rethinking South African Literary History. Eds. J. A. Smit, J. Van Wyk and J. Wade. Durban: Y Press, 1995. 109–28.

_____. Xhosa Oral Poetry: Aspects of a Black South African Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge U P, 1983.

_____. Xhosa Poets and Poetry. Cape Town: David Philip Publishers, 1998.

_____ and A. Nyamende. Hayi usizi kwizwe lenu, Nontsizi! Johannesburg: Macmillan & Wits U P, 2008.

_____ and P. Maseko. D. L. P. Yali-Manisi: Iimbali Zamanyange. Historical Poems.

Pietermaritzburg: U of KwaZulu-Natal P, 2015.

_____, W. Kuse and P. Maseko. 2015. William Wellington Gqoba: Isizwe Esinembali. Xhosa Histories and Poetry (1973–1888). Pietermaritzburg: U of KwaZulu-Natal P, 2015.

_____ and P. Mtuze. John Solilo. Umoya Wembongi. Collected Poems. (1922-1935). Pietermaritzburg: U of KwaZulu-Natal P, 2016.

Rubusana, W. B. Zemk’ inkomo Magwalandini. Ed. S. Satyo. Claremont: New Africa, 2002.

Sam, M. “The development and implementation of computer literacy terminology in isiXhosa.” MA thesis. Rhodes University, 2010.

Satyo, S. “A short history of Xhosa literature until the early 1980s.” Comparative Literature and African Literature. Ed. A. Gérard. Pretoria: Via Afrika, 1995. 65–89.

Shepherd, R. H. W. Lovedale and Literature for The Bantu: A Brief History and a Forecast. Lovedale: Lovedale, 1945.

Swanepoel, C. F. “Epilogue: Southern African languages and literatures and the renaissance of identity.” Comparative literature and African literatures. Ed. A. Gérard. Pretoria: Via Afrika, 1993. 263–73.

Wolff, H. E. “The language factor in discourse on development and education in Africa.” Language Planning for Development in Africa. Eds. Kembo-Sure, S. Mwangi and N. O. Ogechi. Eldoret: Moi U P, 2006. 1-22.

Downloads

Published

2017-09-04

How to Cite

Kaschula, R. H. (2017). Intellectualisation of isiXhosa literature: the case of Jeff Opland. Tydskrif Vir Letterkunde, 54(2), 5–25. https://doi.org/10.17159/2309-9070/tvl.v.54i2.413

Issue

Section

Research articles