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alcheringa:1-1:praises_of_the_bantu_kings_26 [2021/10/05 12:10] – [Metadata] marcoramosalcheringa:1-1:praises_of_the_bantu_kings_26 [2022/03/22 21:17] (current) – [Commentary] kaitsass
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 {{ :alcheringa:1-1:praises-of-the-bantu-pages_from_alcheringa_1-1_fall-1970-3.pdf |}} {{ :alcheringa:1-1:praises-of-the-bantu-pages_from_alcheringa_1-1_fall-1970-3.pdf |}}
 ==== Overview ==== ==== Overview ====
-These poems showcase self-praise poetry performed during inauguration ceremonies, special occasions, and even during times of war and hardship of various Bantu Kings. Each numbered praise song included and described below is linked to a distinct ceremony or historical event.  
  
-The verses were transcribed by Jerome Rothenberg in Alcheringa volume 1, number one, on pgs. 26-28 from a book previously published, translated and annotated by Jacques Chileya Chiwale. It is important to note that the translations completed by Rothenberg contained within Alcheringa are lose translations of the original text. The Alcheringa entry produce by Rothenberg is separated into two sections, the first titled PRAISES OF THE BANTU KINGS (1-10) and the second section titled FURTHER PRAISES (1-5) which are not included here. +These poems showcase self-praise poetry performed during inauguration ceremonies, special occasions, and even during times of war and hardship during the reins of various Bantu Kings. Each numbered praise song included and described below is linked to a distinct ceremony or historical event.  
 + 
 +The verses were transcribed by Jerome Rothenberg in //Alcheringa//, volume one, number one, from a book previously published, translated, and annotated by Jacques Chileya Chiwale. It is important to note that the translations completed by Rothenberg contained within //Alcheringa// are loose translations of the original texts. The //Alcheringa// entry produced by Rothenberg is separated into two sections. The first section, titled "Praises of the Bantu Kings" (1-10), are discussed below, while the second section, titled "Further Praises" (1-5), are not included here. 
  
  
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 ==== Commentary ==== ==== Commentary ====
  
-This section of praise poetry was recorded and translated by Jaques Chileya Chiwale into a published book titled [[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/557edb36e4b0c3993dee95d1/t/57a4f8ff2e69cffb1a26c984/1470429463375/Royal%2BPraises%2Band%2BPraise%2BNames-Lunda.compressed.pdf|"Royal Praises and Praise Names of the Lunda Kazembe of Northern Rhodesia."]] This text includes the English translation and the original language(s) in which the verses were customarily recited (often the Luba language of the Congo Republic &/or Lubanised Bemba). All of the transcription, contextualization, and translations of the praise poems recorded below were taken from the original transcription and translations done by Chiwale within his published work, "Royal Praises and Praise Names of the Lunda Kazembe of Northern Rhodesia." +This section of praise poetry was recorded and translated by Jaques Chileya Chiwale into a published book titled //[[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/557edb36e4b0c3993dee95d1/t/57a4f8ff2e69cffb1a26c984/1470429463375/Royal%2BPraises%2Band%2BPraise%2BNames-Lunda.compressed.pdf|Royal Praises and Praise Names of the Lunda Kazembe of Northern Rhodesia.]]// This text includes the English translation and the original language(s) in which the verses were customarily recited (often the Luba language of the Congo Republic or Lubanised Bemba). All of the transcription, contextualization, and translations of the praise poems recorded below were taken from the original transcription and translations done by Chiwale within his published work mentioned above. 
  
 === 1 === === 1 ===
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 === 2 === === 2 ===
-This praise song was third and final of the praise songs performed at the inauguration ceremony of Mwata Kazembe XVII. They were performed in the Luba language by an elderly man. This song was in honor of the new ruler's father and grandfather who were previous Kazembes. +This praise song was the third and final of the praise songs performed at the inauguration ceremony of Mwata Kazembe XVII. They were performed there in the Luba language by an elderly man. This song was performed in honor of the new ruler's father and grandfather who were previous Kazembes. 
  
 **Lubanized Bemba:** **Lubanized Bemba:**
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 === 3 === === 3 ===
-This praise poem was in reference to the request  +This praise poem was in reference to the request of military aid by Kanyembo Ntemena from two Bemba chiefs. Kanyembo Ntemena was granted the aid and was also given a new name, Mubanga. Mubanga is also the name of a tree that is known to harden after dying, so much so that its wood is almost impossible to chop for firewood. Kazembe fought bravely against the tribe Chishinga who had rebelled against his rule and, with the aid of the other two rulers, was able to defeat them. Bemba praise-singers recited this praise-name song in his honor. 
- of military aid by Kanyembo Ntemena from two Bemba chiefs. Kanyembo Ntemena was granted the aid and was also given a new name, Mubanga. Mubanga is the name of a tree that is known to harden after dying, so much so that its wood is almost impossible to chop for firewood. After Kazembe had received help from the two rulers, he fought bravely against the tribe Chishinga who had rebelled against his rule and, after he had received the aid from the two rulers, was able to defeat them. Bemba praise-singers recited this praise-name song in his honor. +
  
 **Bemba**:   **Bemba**:  
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 === 4 === === 4 ===
-This praise song was one that Kalandala, the military-general of Kazembe Ilunga "Lukwesa," recited about himself after a certain incident took place.  +This praise song was one that Kalandala, the military-general of Kazembe Ilunga "Lukwesa," recited about himself after a certain incident took place. Nkuba, one of the chiefs of Shila, had murdered his sister's son because the son had been rude to him. Nkuba then used the son's skin as a bed cover and a mat. The sister, Nacituti, went to Mwata Ilunga "Lukwesa," and begged him to kill her brother in revenge. Kazembe Ilunga was annoyed and ordered his military general, Kalandala, to behead Nkuba, who had fled to his brother's island. Both Nkuba and his brother were found and beheaded. This praise song was sung by Kalandala in honor of his own leadership, bravery and, successful revenge. 
-Nkuba, one of the chiefs of Shila, had murdered his sister's son because he had been rude to him and had used the son's skin as a bed cover and a mat. The sister, Nacituti, went to Mwata Ilunga "Lukwesa," and begged him to kill her brother in revenge. Kazembe Ilunga was annoyed and ordered his military general, Kalandala, to behead Nkuba, who had fled to his brother's island. Both Nkuba and his brother were found a beheaded. This praise song was sung by Kalandala in honor of his leadership, bravery and successful revenge. +
  
 **Luba:** **Luba:**
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 === 5 === === 5 ===
  
-This praise song is in response to the fourth praise song, listed above. After Nkuba and his brother were murdered, Nacituti gifted Mwata Ilunga the land and rivers of Shilal and begged the ruler to stay in the area to also rule over their land, so she and her family would not be slaughtered as her son had been.  +This praise song is in direct response to the fourth song, which is listed above. After Nkuba and his brother were murdered, Nacituti gifted Mwata Ilunga the land and rivers of Shilal and begged the ruler to stay in the area to also rule over their land so that she and her family would not be slaughtered as her son had been. Mwata Ilunga then sang his own praise song, something that was customary for rulers to recite under special circumstances such as these.
-Mwata Ilunga then sang his own praise-song that was customary for rulers to recite under special circumstances.+
  
 **Luba**:  **Luba**: 
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 === 6 === === 6 ===
-The sixth praise song in this entry was about Muonga 'Sunkutu' who usurped the throne and was famous for being harsh and purposely brutal to his own subjects because of his fear of a future rebellion against him. He compared himself to the ruthless killer, the lion in his own praise-song. This is what he said of himself:+The sixth praise song in this entry was about Muonga 'Sunkutu' who usurped the throne and was famous for being harsh and purposefully brutal to his own subjects.  This brutality stemmed from his fear that his subjects would eventually rebel against him. He compared himself to the ruthless killer, the lion, in his own praise-song. This is what he said of himself:
  
 **Luba:** **Luba:**
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 === 7 === === 7 ===
-The seventh praise-name /song of the entry was recited by Kafuti who was later known as "Chinkonkole, The Rummager because he and his army suffered from hunger because there was no food in the Lomotwa country, whom he and his army were attempting to fight. +The seventh praise song of the entry was recited by Kafuti, who was later known as "Chinkonkole, The Rummager." He earned this name because he and his army suffered from severe hunger.  There was no food for them in Lomotwa country, the territory they were stuck in as they tried to fight against the rulers of that country. 
  
 **Luba**: **Luba**:
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 === 8 === === 8 ===
-The eighth praise poem was the inherited eulogy and appellation of one of the royal children of Lunda, Amon Lukwesa "Sambwe." The first in his family with this name was one of his mother's ancestors, from the "rain clan" or the "Mfula," and he was known to be attractive and of fair skin and hair. The praise song reads: +The eighth praise poem was the inherited eulogy and appellation of one of the royal children of Lunda, Amon Lukwesa "Sambwe." The first in his family with this name was one of his mother's ancestors, from the "rain clan" or the "Mfula," who was known to be attractive and of fair skin and hair. The praise song reads: 
  
 **Luba**:  **Luba**: 
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 ==== Context ==== ==== Context ====
  
-Bantu praise poetry originates from Central Africa to South Africa and comes from regions where people speak the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantu_languages|Bantu languages]], of which there are hundreds. Some of the more well-known Bantu languages are Swahili, Zulu, and and Shona. +Bantu praise poetry originates from countries ranging from Central Africa to South Africa and comes from regions where people speak the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantu_languages|Bantu languages]], of which there are hundreds. Some of the more well-known of these languages are Swahili, Zulu, and Shona. 
  
-Although the act of praising has a positive connotation, the focus of a praise poem may range from true praise to criticism and serve to strengthen //or// diminish its subject's reputation or status. These poems are traditionally sung by their poet and have significant political and social weight to them, as they can serve as a sort of review of a person's successes and shortcomings. These praise poems not only highlight individuals, but in certain regions can also focus on praises of an entire clan, like the [[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bulletin-of-the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies/article/abs/southern-bantu-clanpraises-a-neglected-genre/6FCAD5208E52DF94CC22AE6F30206BE9|clan-praises]] originating from the [[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shona|Shona people of Eastern Zimbabwe.]] +Although the act of praising has a positive connotation, the focus of a praise poem may range from true praise to criticism and serve to strengthen //or// diminish its subject's reputation or status. These poems are traditionally sung by their original authors and have significant political and social weight to them, as they can serve as a sort of review of a person's successes and shortcomings. These praise poems not only highlight individuals but in certain regions can also focus on praises of an entire clan, like the [[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bulletin-of-the-school-of-oriental-and-african-studies/article/abs/southern-bantu-clanpraises-a-neglected-genre/6FCAD5208E52DF94CC22AE6F30206BE9|clan-praises]] originating from the [[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shona|Shona people]] of Eastern Zimbabwe.
  
 ==== Bibliography ==== ==== Bibliography ====

Trace: • the_deadly_dance_aztec_32 • blood_bread_and_poetry • from_shaking_the_pumpkin • praises_of_the_bantu_kings_26 • masset_mourning_songs • three_songs_of_mad_coyote • serpent_and_the_fire • planting_song • a_homophonic_translation • the_trials_death_of_one_seven_hunter

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