Department of African Languages

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Browsing Department of African Languages by Author "Cata, Zolani Theo"

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    Ukungquzulana lwenkcubeko yemveli neyasentshona kwi-ingqumbo yeminyanya / ukuba ndandazile
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-04) Cata, Zolani Theo; Zulu, N. S.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the cultural conflict between the Western and African cultures in two Xhosa novels. The two novels investigated in this study are Ingqumbo yeminyanya by A.C. Jordan and Ukuba ndandazile by W.K. Tamsanqa. We concentrate on the two older Xhosa novels with the aim to find out how they deal with the cultural conflict arising from western and traditional Xhosa life systems. Chapter 1 of the study presents the aims of the study. Chapter 2 presents theoretical underpinnings of literature and culture as the theoretical framework of the study. In Chapters 3 and 4, two Xhosa novels are analysed, one in each chapter. It is found that conflict in Ingqumbo yeminyanya and Ukuba ndandazile, results from western and traditional Xhosa value systems that co-exist. The characters in the novels belong to each camp and have strong views about the other's value system. The protagonists of both novels adhere to the western culture, and they live in their community with antagonists who cherish their traditional Xhosa lifestyle. The traditional people are content with their style of life, they are dissatisfied by the westernised life of their offspring who have become alien and who despise and look down upon their own Xhosa tradition and custom. A major problem in the novels is that the westernised protagonists are a few educated royal leaders who have to lead the traditional people they despise. Yet because of the majority of the traditionalists, the traditional Xhosa life exerts so much force on the lives of the few educated protagonists such that they reach tragic ends. The conclusion that can be made about the tragic end of the characters in both novels is that it results from the failure of the intolerance of the western and traditional value systems.