 | |
| Author | Thomas Mofolo |
|---|---|
| Translator | F. H. Dutton |
| Language | Sesotho |
Publication date | 1925 |
| Publication place | Lesotho |
Published in English | 1931 |
| Pages | 168 |
Chaka is the third and final novel by Lesotho writer Thomas Mofolo. Written in Sesotho, it is a mythic fictional retelling of the story of the rise and fall of the Zulu emperor-king Shaka. Following its first publication in 1925, it was published in English translation in 1931.
Chaka was written in three years, from 1907 to 1910. [1] To gather material for his novel, Thomas Mofolo made several trips to the South African province of Natal, including one in 1909 where he visited the grave of Shaka. [2] The original Sotho manuscript was first submitted in 1910 to the Morija Sesuto Book Depot supported by the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society (PEMS), but was only published in 1925. [3] [4] The delay in publication was due to the publishers' being "disturbed by Mofolo's failure to condemn pagan tribal customs"; this led to a disheartened Mofolo's retirement from writing. [5] According to translator Daniel P. Kunene, who translated Chaka from Sesotho to English, at least two chapters revolving around the traditions and history of the Zulu people were omitted from the published version of the novel. [6]
The first English translation of Chaka was published in 1931, while the earliest French and German translations were published in 1940 and 1953 respectively; an Afrikaans translation was published in 1974. [7]
The novel received a polarised reception initially, with some readers accusing the author of being anti-Christian, in contrast to others who felt that Chaka was "deeply Christian in inspiration and intent". [3] Nonetheless, Chaka became a local and international bestseller. [8]
Moreover, especially since the publication of Daniel P. Kunene's English translation of Chaka, the novel has become increasingly appreciated for its literary value. [3] In a review for English in Africa, Neil Lazarus described Chaka as an "extraordinary and enigmatic work of literature ... demanding the close attention of all scholars of African literature." [3] In February 2002, Chaka was named one of the twelve best works of African literature of the 20th century by a panel organised by Ali Mazrui as part of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair. [9]
Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka Zulu and Sigidi kaSenzangakhona, was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to 1828. One of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu, he ordered wide-reaching reforms that reorganized the military into a formidable force.
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1910.
The Sotho, also known as the Basotho, are a prominent Sotho-Tswana ethnic group native to Southern Africa. They primarily inhabit the regions of Lesotho and South Africa.
Thomas Mokopu Mofolo is considered the greatest Basotho author. He wrote mostly in the Sesotho language, but his most popular book, Chaka, has been translated into English and other languages.
John Langalibalele Dube OLG was a South African essayist, philosopher, educator, politician, publisher, editor, novelist and poet. He was the founding president of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), which became the African National Congress in 1923. He was an uncle to Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme, with whom he founded SANNC. Dube served as the president of SANNC between 1912 and 1917. He was brought to America by returning missionaries and attended Oberlin Preparatory Academy.
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Chaka may refer to:
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Mazisi (Raymond) Kunene was a South African poet best known for his translation of the epic Zulu poem Emperor Shaka the Great. While in exile from South Africa's apartheid regime, Kunene was an active supporter and organiser of the anti-apartheid movement in Europe and Africa. He later taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, and become Africa's and South Africa's first poet laureate.
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Kgotso Pieter David (K.P.D.) Maphalla was a writer in the Sesotho language. An author of more than 40 books, Maphalla has received an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature. Maphalla died on 5 April 2021 after suffering a stroke. He was laid to rest in Bohlokong, near Bethlehem on 14 April 2021.
Ntšeliseng ’Masechele Khaketla was a pioneering poet, dramatist, translator, and teacher from Lesotho.
Daniel Pule Kunene (1923–2016) was a South African literary scholar, translator, and writer. He was Emeritus Professor of African Languages and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.