Chaka is the third and final novel by mosotho writer thomas mofolo. Chaka is a genuine masterpiece that represents one of the earliest major contributions from black africa to the corpus of modern world literature. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Educated in the local schools of the paris evangelical missionary society, mofolo obtained a teachers certificate in 1898. Thomas mofolos sentence design in chaka approached in translation mofolos sentence design in chaka is a challenge to the translator, not only because of the significant length of the sentences, but in particular for the extensive use of the semicolon, appearing within sentences of paragraphlength. Thomas mofolo only wrote three books, but he is renowned for being the first author of westernstyle novels in the language of sotho.
I found this to be an engaging and interesting read. Chaka by thomas mofolo and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He is considered to be one of the greatest of the african authors who flourished during the early 20th century. In the case of thomas mofolos chaka 1925, transculturation takes place through its various rewritings and translations. An as yet unpublished second afrikaans translation mofolo, chaka. Aug 23, 2019 thomas mofolo only wrote three books, but he is renowned for being the first author of westernstyle novels in the language of sotho. Thomas mofolo books list of books by author thomas mofolo. The traveller of the east 1907 pitseng 1910 chaka 1925. As things now stand, mofolos purpose in writing this book must of necessity, forever remain a matter of conjecture, like the great mysteries of chakas life which are beyond the peoples understanding. One of the key themes in thomas mofolos novel is the. Thomas mofolo wrote chaka, which can be purchased at a lower price at thriftbooks. Chaka by thomas mofolo overdrive rakuten overdrive.
The novel tells the fictionalized and mythical story of the rise and fall of zulu emperor chaka. Some missionaries were of the view that his celebration of african culture would drive africans back to satan. Chaka is the most famous novel by the writer thomas mofolo of lesotho. Chaka by thomas mofolo is the first of many works of literature that take shaka, the great zulu leader as its subject. Thomas mofolos novel chaka 1925, drawn from oral lore and written in sotho by a sotho writer.
The book has been translated into english on two separate occasions. Quotes from chaka by thomas mofolo okolade2 has quoted 5 years ago through duttons translation, not only europe became aware of, and benefited from, mofolos masterpiece, but indeed africa itself. Africas mad and most loved emperor chaka by thomas mofolo. It is certainly more legendstory that historically accurate portrait, but mofolos novel is built on the reallife foundations of chakas life, rule, and death. Kunene concludes in his thomas mofolo and the emergence of written sesotho prose 1989. He was the greatest of the authors who flourished in the early part of the 20th century, writing in sesotho for the morija mission. The original sotho manuscript was first submitted in 1910 to the morija sesuto book depot supported by the paris evangelical missionary society. Chaka is a genuine masterpiece that represents one of the earliest major contributions of black africa to the corpus of modern world literature. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. After graduating in 1898 with a teachers certificate from the missionary training college at morija in basutoland, mofolo worked at the sesuto book. Mofolo presents it as a study of human passion, of an uncontrolled and then uncontrollable ambition leading to the moral destruction of the character and the inevitable punishment. Thomas mofolo world literature books, lectures, reference. Books by thomas mofolo chaka 1st edition by thoma s mofolo, daniel p. How does the author successfully use the characters to portray the theme.
It takes the reader through the entire life of chaka from his birth and through his rise to power and ultimately to his decline. Thomas mofolo is considered the first great author of modern african literature. Written in the sesotho language, his three novels are concerned with the radical. It is considered to be one of africas first contributions to classic literature. He wrote mostly in the sesotho language, but his most popular book, chaka, has been translated into english and other languages. Publication date 1925 topics chaka, shaka, mofolo, zulu, africa collection opensource language english. Mofolo depends on the oral traditionmore specifically, the traditional heroic cyclefor read more. Chaka, authored by thomas mofolo in 1925, remains one of the most widely read sesotho books. I read a later translation, by daniel kunene in 1981. Through duttons translation, not only europe became aware of, and benefited from, mofolos masterpiece, but indeed africa itself. Chaka, a novel written by the lesotho writer, thomas mofolo, is that kind of novela weird and gripping tale about one of the most enigmatic figures in african history. Mofolos third and last book, chaka 1925, became the classic on which his reputation rests. Thomas mofolo s sentence design in chaka approached in translation mofolo s sentence design in chaka is a challenge to the translator, not only because of the significant length of the sentences, but in particular for the extensive use of the semicolon, appearing within sentences of paragraphlength.
Within 25 pages, theres a forbidden love affair, a battle over kingship, a young boy killing a lion, a magical medicine to guarantee victory in battle, and worth the 25page wait a giant snake that emerges from a river, wraps itself around a bather, and proclaims a prophesy of chakas future. Major works the traveller of the east 1907 pitseng 1910 chaka 1925 overview. Educated in protestant mission schools, mofolo worked as a teacher in the mission school system and regarded his writings as an instrument for the propagation of the christian faith among the sothospeaking people. Kunene, begins with the future zulu kings birth followed by the unwarranted taunts and abuse he receives during childhood and adolescence. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Mofolos fictionalized lifestory account of chaka shaka, translated from sesotho by d. Chaka is a novel that tells the fictionalized account story of the zulu hero, chaka. Pdf thomas mofolos chaka was first published in sesotho in 1925 by the morija sesuto book depot under the auspices of the societe des. Thomas mofolos sentence design in chaka approached in. Educated in the local schools of the paris evangelical missionary society, mofolo obtained a. It is certainly more legendstory that historically accurate portrait, but mofolo s novel is built on the reallife foundations of chaka s life, rule, and death. Mofolo is not only the father of literature in his native sesotho language, but is also widely considered to be the father of modern black south african writing.
The novel presents a satanic image of the great zulu general of that name, reflecting his adherence. He was educated in the local schools of the paris evangelical missionary society and obtained a teachers certificate in 1898. This novel is the first of many works of literature that takes the great zulu leader, king, and emperor as its subject. Read chaka, by thomas mofolo online on bookmate written in sesotho in 1909 and first translated in 1931, thomas mofolos classic south african novel has formed the foundation of all modern interpr. May 21, 20 chaka is a genuine masterpiece that represents one of the earliest major contributions of black africa to the corpus of modern world literature. Written in sotho, it is a mythic retelling of the story of the rise and fall of the zulu emperorking shaka. I do not believe, mofolo writes, that there was ever a human being whose life was as full of mystery as that of chaka.
Africas mad and most loved emperor chaka by thomas. He is also world famous for his last book, chaka, because it depicted european colonialism as a bad influence on the native populations and celebrated the zulu king. Aug 19, 2014 thomas mofolos chaka is a novel languishing in the dark, airless pit of the african literary archive. Although it does not explicitly mention christianity, thomas mofolos novel chaka 1925 draws on the biblical tradition, with allusions to the old testament books of samuel and other biblical texts. He is best known for his ostensibly biographical, but. Thomas mokopu mofolo 22 december 1876 8 september 1948 is considered to be the greatest basotho author. Author of chaka, chaka zulu, moeti oa bochabela, pitseng, the traveller of the east, chaka, the zulu, chaka, une epopee bantoue, traveller of the east b. Thomas mofolos sentence design in chaka approached in translation. He wrote in sesotho for the morija mission, and it was with chaka, his third novel after moe. Kunene paperback, 168 pages, published 20 by waveland press, inc. Educated in protestant mission schools, mofolo worked as a teacher in the mission school system and regarded his writings as an instrument for the propagation of. Mofolo s fictionalized lifestory account of chaka shaka, translated from sesotho by d. Related questions and answers for characters in chaka.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Chaka is a novel based on the reallife figure, also known as shaka zulu, who lived from ca. Join me as we dig it up, give it a good dusting, and see whether its cool enough for the contemporary lover of african novels. Thomas mokopu mofolo, the first important writer from what is now lesotho, who created the first westernstyle novels in the southern sotho language. Publication date 1925 topics chaka, shaka, mofolo, zulu. Buy chaka heinemann african writers series new ed by mofolo, mr thomas isbn. The transculturation of thomas mofolos chaka scielo sa. Chaka by thomas mofolo meet your next favorite book. Within 25 pages, theres a forbidden love affair, a battle over kingship, a young boy killing a lion, a magical medicine to guarantee victory in battle, and worth the 25page wait a giant snake that emerges from a river, wraps itself around a bather, and proclaims a prophesy of chaka s future. Dathorne has said, the historical chaka is only the impetus for mofolo s psychological study of the nature of repudiation. Thomas mofolo 18761948 was a lesothoan writer whose historical novel chaka encouraged a vernacular literary movement in south africa.
His most renowned novel, chaka, is considered a genuine masterpiece of historical realism, giving rise to a new literary genre in southern africa through its depiction of an african hero in precolonial times. The journalist this week reflects on the life of a literary giant whose works were translated in many languages. Lesothos thomas mofolo was one of the earliest authors from africa to make a major contribution to modern world literature. The novel chaka was written by thomas mofolo, an author from lesotho. He is best known for his ostensibly biographical, but largely fictional, narrative chaka 1925. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or. It was named one of the twelve best works of african literature of the 20th century by a panel organized by ali mazrui. Mass market paperback paperback hardcover mass market paperback paperback hardcover we use cookies to collect information when you visit our site. Written in sesotho in 1909 though only published in 1925, it was an instant hit and quickly became mofolos most highly regarded work. Chaka is described as a syncretic work, in which mofolo has.
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