Browsing by Author "Ngidi, Evangeline Bonisiwe."

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The influence of selected English romantic poets in B.W. Vilakazi's poetry.
(2001) Ngidi, Evangeline Bonisiwe.; Koopman, Adrian.
B.W. Vilakazi is regarded by many literary critics as the best poet of his time, who had he lived longer, would have marked his living years the Vilakazi era. It is for this reason that I decided to embark on the study of his poetry, and that which influenced him, mainly the English Romantic Poets. In doing this research I also emphasised typical aspects of Romantic poets so as to clarify whether Vilakazi does fall under this category (Romantic category). In the introduction of Inkondlo kaZulu Gumede remarks thus on B.W. Vilakazi's poetry: "UVilakazi tstqungo sokwakha izosha lezi usithole esiblgisini. Usebenzisa isiZulu kanye nemizekeliso yaso namalutha, ekhombisa ithuba lokuqhuba isiZulu sibe nenkinga yaso yezincwadi noma izosha lezi zincikile esiNgisini. Ube nesibindi sokuzisukela aqambe lolu hlobo lwezibongo zesiZulu wangagudluka endleleni endala." (l935:vi) "Vilakazi gets his poetic inspiration from English. He uses Zulu images and superstitions to show that Zulu can have its own literature even though it is related to English. It is very brave of him to compose new genre in Zulu praises, without diverting from the original version by older poets." The scope of the study will be as follows: Chapter One is an introductory chapter which includes: the aim of the study; preamble, literature review, research methodology, biographical notes on Vilakazi, Vilakazi's literary works (novels, anthologies of poetry, articles in journals), Vilakazi's lexicographical work (the Dictionary), Vilakazi's influences (his own personal experiences, traditional poetry, traditional prose narrative, Biblical influences and mostly the English Romantic Poets). This chapter includes the definition of Poetry and the definition of a poet, definition of a Bard 'Imbongi', it also defines Romanticism (as a movement and as a concept); and it gives various critical views on RW. Vilakazi. Chapter Two deals with the influence of English Romantic Poets on Vilakazi, and looks at certain poems of Wordsworth, Keats and Shelley. Chapter Three deals with Vilakazi as a Romantic poet (certain Poems with Romantic aspects). Chapter Four is the Conclusion looking at the extent that the Romantic poets influenced Vilakazi's writing.
The use of personal names in respect of the living-dead within traditional polygynous families in Kwamambulu, Kranskop.
(2012) Ngidi, Evangeline Bonisiwe.; Koopman, Adrian.
The thesis underpinning this dissertation is based on the Zulu people’s belief in the living-dead and the fact that the latter control the lives of their living descendants. The living descendants use names to express their dissatisfaction with one another. The families perform rituals to appease the living-dead. The living-dead are perceived as guardian angels who are closer to God. They are believed to be able to reward good behavior and reprimand those who are not behaving in an acceptable manner. Names, as Bhengu (1975:52) states, connect people to their living-dead. It is therefore important that this relationship with the living-dead is maintained. Friction is always going to be a problem in polygynous families. Avoiding confrontation is important to people who want to appease their living-dead, who control their lives. Personal names act as a deterrent to angering the living-dead. In a situation where getting even is not an option, opting for a name to voice your disapproval is the easy way out. Names become communication channels between members of the family and the community at large. This study is done from an ethnographic perspective with an attempt to fully describe a variety of aspects of a cultural group to enhance understanding of the people being studied. Spradley (1980:3) states that “The essential core of ethnography is the concern with the meaning of actions and events to the people we seek to understand”. This understanding may be seen as the basis of the method; through ethnographic study, the researcher comes to comprehend, through detailed observation, the existences of peoples and their cultures.