A tradition in transition: the consequences of the introduction of literacy among Zulu people in Umbumbulu.
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Date
1997
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Abstract
This research study, in its efforts to discuss the consequences of the introduction of literacy among the Zulu people in Umbumbulu, will embody the social and
educational aspects of the oral Zulu people before and after the introduction of
writing. People have been made to believe that by learning to read and write, they would
be empowered: literacy and education would enable them to get decent jobs and
earn more money. Western civilization which has been adopted by many African
peoples, attaches great value to money economy than subsistence economy, hence
there has been a shift from orality to literacy. It is assumed that the acquisition of literacy skills may not change the intelligence
quotient of an individual. This work will therefore investigate if the Zulu people
did have a form of civilization before they met with the Whites. One will further
investigate if the oral life of the Zulu man without the knowledge of reading and
writing, was miserable and imbalanced. I shall then look into the method of how
literacy was introduced among the Zulu people in Umbumbulu and lastly, check
on the impact of literacy and education on the social life of Umbumbulu people.
This project falls within the orality-literacy debate and will compare some often
conflicting theories. Finally, one would propose suggestions of how school going
pupils in Umbumbulu would improve their school performance by applying teaching methods and content that has relevance to their oral culture.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.
Keywords
Literacy--Social aspects., Zulu (African people)--Foreign influences., Zulu (African people)--Social life and customs., Theses--Orality-literacy studies., Acculturation--KwaZulu-Natal--Umbumbulu., Oral tradition--KwaZulu-Natal--Umbumbulu.