This study gives the Zulu's views and ideas about celestial
bodies and associated natural phenomena and how they
illustrate features in both the oral and written literature.
It sketches various
focussing mainly on
The concentration is
conceptions about the whole universe
celestial bodies and natural phenomena.
on the sun, moon, stars, thunder and
lightning in poetry and prose both modern and traditional.
Emphasis is on the fact that Zulus do not perceive celestial
bodies as mere bodies but assign certain beliefs and
philosophies to them. In examining these different
conceptions, Western as well as African literary theories have
been used in this study.
I~ ~r=rli~ional izibongo amakhosi are associated with the sun,
the moon as well as the stars. Their warriors' attack is
associated with the thunderstorm.
These celestial bodies are also used as determinants of time
in terms of day and night, seasons and different times for
different daily chores. In modern poetry these bodies are
mainly associated with God and in some instances they are
referred to as God himself. In prose they are used as
determinants of time and are also used figuratively to
describe certain circumstances.
The study gives an idea of how Zulus in general perceive these
celestial bodies and natural phenomena. / African Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/18163 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Mathenjwa, L. F. (Langalibalele Felix), 1962- |
| Contributors | Ntuli, D. B. Z., Msimang, C. T. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (ix, 243 leaves) |
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