Content, form and technique of traditional and modern praise poetry in Northern Sotho
Authors
Kgobe, Dominic Mamahlo
Issue Date
1994-06
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Oral praises , Written praises , Critical evaluation , Historical record , Compositional techniques , Traditional praises , Modern praises , Comparative perspective , Similar and dissimilar characteristics , Reciprocal influence
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis is a critical evaluation of the content, form and technique of
traditional and modern praise poetry in Northern Sotho.
Chapter 1 presents the aim of the study and the method of research and
defines the concepts of poetry and praise poetry. Praise poetry is viewed from
a traditional and modern perspective.
Chapter 2 deals with the content and technique of praise poetry. Content
consists of oral praise poetry lauding the heroic deeds of men in battles and
casual encounters. Modern praise poetry comments on current events.
Devices for rapid composition of the praises are discussed. Techniques differ
between poets and according to time, place and occasion.
Chapter 3 covers the traditional praises of chiefs, warriors, initiates, animals,
birds, divining bones and totem praises, examining them from the perspective
of content and form. The praises extol human achievements, peculiar animal
characteristics and the interpretation of "mawa" of divining bones.
Chapter 4 deals with the development and transition from traditional to modern
form as well as the reciprocal influence. The content and form of modern
praises of chiefs, academics, community leaders, animals, birds, divining
bones, man-made objects and some natural phenomena are discussed. Many
modern poets have also written praises of fictional characters.
Chapter 5 compares oral and written praise poetry by concentrating on the
similarities and differences between traditional and modern praise poetry. This
study shows that there are differences in of theme, rhyme, beginning and
ending, sentence length and significant emphasis on man-made objects such
as cars and locomotives as exceptional modes of transport for commuters.
Chapter 6 concludes the study and proves that praise poetry is a living or
dynamic entity which will continue to exist. Praise poetry highlights persons,
interpersonal relationships, attitudes and values derived from an African
conceptions of the universe.
Description
Citation
Kgobe, D. M. (Dominic Mamahlo) (1994) Content, form and technique of traditional and modern praise poetry in Northern Sotho, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17072>