Role played by Swazi literature in preserving and promoting the culture of Swazi people

Date
2018-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The prime concern of this study is to give evidence that Swazi literature has been used to promote and preserve the culture of the Swazi people. With the changing times, Swazi culture losing its sting, Swazi literature plays a pivotal role in conserving the Swazi being, and in teaching the generations to come the ways of their forefathers. The study focuses on both the role played by Swazi modern and Swazi oral literature. Modern literature comes in the form of prose (novels and short stories), drama and poetry. Likewise, the oral literature which has been passed from one generation to the next by the word of mouth has been brought back to life. It has been inscribed, and in this study it is explored. Amongst those used are the oral narratives, oral poetry (lullabies, praise poetry, children’s rhymes to name a few) traditional songs (ceremonial songs, dance songs and works songs). Finally, the study recommends that literature with Swazi cultural experiences be translated to English since it (English) is another official language and more to it Swaziland has a number of immigrants. Again, people are encouraged to write materials that depict and explore the ways of living of the Swazi society. Another important thing recommended in the preservation and promotion of the culture of the Swazi people is making the native language (SiSwati) a must-learn subject and a passing subject too.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre aard van die studie hou verband met die ondersoek van evidensie dat Swazi letterkunde gebruik is om die kultuur van die Swazi gemeenskap te bevorder en te behou. Met veranderende tye waar Swazi-kultuur verskraal in bepaalde opsigte, speel die Swazi letterkunde ‘n belangrike rol in die bewaring van die Swazi wese, en in die voorligting van nuwe generasies oor die lewenswyse van hulle voorvaders. Die studie fokus op die rol wat sowel moderne as orale Swazi letterkunde speel, eersgenoemde in die vorm van prosa (novelle en kortverhaal), drama en poësie. Soorgelyk, is die orale letterkunde wat mondelings oorgelewer is van een geslag tot die volgende, teruggebring, en word dit in hierdie studie ondersoek. Van dié gebruike sluit onder andere in wiegeliedjies, prysgedigte en kinderrympies, tradisionele liedere (seremoniële liedere, dans liedere en werksliedere). Ten slotte beveel die studie aan dat letterkunde met Swazi kulturele ervarings in Engels vertaal word aangesien Engels die ander amptelike taal van Swaziland is, en aangesien Swaziland ook immigrante het. Mense word aangemoedig om materiaal te skryf wat die leefwyse van die Swazi gemeenskap uitbeeld en ondersoek. Voorts word aanbeveel ten opsigte van die bewaring en bevordering van die Swazi gemeenskap se kultuur, dat die Swazi taal ‘n verpligte vak (asook ‘n verpligte slaagvak) moet wees in Swaziland.
Description
Thesis (Mphil)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.
Keywords
Swazi literature, Swazi culture, Traditional songs, Swaziland -- Social life and customs, UCTD
Citation