Die hantering van die begrip ‘interverbondenheid’ in Antjie Krog se bundel Mede-wete (2014)

Date
2017-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the concept of interconnectedness or ‘interconncectedeness-towards-wholeness’ and the functioning thereof in Antjie Krog’s poetry volume Mede-wete (2014). The search for a multilevel union serves a continuous theme in Mede-wete. The need for interconnectedness, a term closely linked to African philosophy, is a recurring theme in Antjie Krog's oeuvre. Krog's prose works Country of my skull (1998), A change of tongue (2003) and Begging to be black (2009), her anthology Kleur kom nooit alleen nie (2000) and her volumes of translated poems Met woorde soos met kerse (2002) and die sterre sê ‘tsau’ (2004), are discussed and presented as precursors to her use of the term interconnectedness and the contextualization thereof. Interconnectedness is grounded in the African worldview ubuntu, where the relationship between the self and the other are emphasized. This study focusses on and highlights the different forms of human connections and the key role of the community in the successful embodiment of ubuntu. The views of various African philosophers including John Mbiti, Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye are presented, as Krog’s interpretation of interconnectedness (which she uses alternately with the term ubuntu) is in line with theirs. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms, evident in Mede-wete, concerning the expansion of the need for connectedness through the connection between the self and the human other; the human other in the form of the planet and the cosmos. Anthological aspects are initially presented and discussed in line with Krog's incorporation of Deleuze’s process of becoming (also addressed in Begging to be black), where living entities are in a continuous process of transformation. Secondly, Krog’s exploration of Bushmen spirituality, concerning the interwoven and interactive nature of the mundane and the supernatural, are discussed. Finally, it is determined how Krog, in Mede-wete, demonstrates the potential of a union with the non-human in the facilitation of interconnectedness between the self and the other.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die funksionering van die begrip interverbondenheid of ‘interverbondenheid-tot-heelheid’ in Antjie Krog se bundel Mede-wete (2014) ondersoek. Die soeke na ʼn soort eenwording op verskillende vlakke dien as deurlopende onderliggende tema in die bundel Mede-wete. Die behoefte aan interverbondenheid, ʼn begrip wat nóú saamhang met Afrika-filosofie, is ʼn tema wat reg deur Krog se oeuvre aandag geniet. Krog se prosawerke Country of my skull (1998) en A change of tongue (2003), Begging to be black (2009), haar digbundel Kleur kom nooit alleen nie (2000) en haar versamelde vertaalde poësie Met woorde soos met kerse (2002) en die sterre sê ‘tsau’ (2004), word in hierdie studie ter kontekstualisering en as voorlopers vir die hantering van die begrip interverbondenheid in die skrywer se oeuvre bespreek. Interverbondenheid is gefundeer in die Afrika-wêreldbeeld ubuntu, waar die verhouding tussen die self en die ander vooropgestel word. In hierdie studie word daar dus veral gefokus op verskilllende vorme van menslike verbintenisse en die belangrike rol wat die gemeenskap speel vir ubuntu om suksesvol beliggaam te word. Die beskouings van Afrika-filosowe soos John Mbiti, Ifeanyi Menkiti en Kwame Gyekye word betrek aangesien Krog in haar benadering tot interverbondenheid (wat sy afwisselend met die begrip ubuntu gebruik) by hulle beskouings aansluit. Daar word ondersoek hoe Krog in Mede-wete die verbintenis tussen die self en die menslike ander uitbrei na ʼn behoefte aan interverbondenheid met niemenslike entiteite, in die vorm van die planeet en die kosmos. Hierdie aspekte van die bundel word eerstens in verband gebring met Krog se inkorporering van Deleuze se proses van wording (wat ook in Begging to be black heelwat aandag geniet), waar alle lewende entiteite in ʼn voortdurende proses van transformasie verkeer. Tweedens word Krog se verkenning van Boesman-spiritualiteit, waar die alledaagse en die bonatuurlike met mekaar verweef en interaktief is, onder die loep geneem. Daar word uiteindelik aangevoer hoe Krog in Mede-wete toon hoe eenwording met die niemenslike moontlik interverbondenheid tussen die self en die menslike ander kan bewerkstellig.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.
Keywords
Krog, Antjie -- Mede-wete -- Critcism and interpretation, Krog, Antjie -- Criticism and interpretation, Interconnectedness in literature, Ubuntu (Philosophy) in literature, UCTD
Citation