Umoya Wembongi - Collected Poems (1922-1935)

All 65 of John Solilo's poems from Izala, now out of print, with an additional 28 first published in newspapers, in isiXhosa and English translation, with a comprehensive introduction

John Solilo (1864-1940) was a prolific contributor to Xhosa-language newspapers. He submitted letters and articles on a variety of issues, local news reports from Cradock and Uitenhage, and a considerable body of poetry. His major literary contribution was his collection of poems entitled Izala (A Rubbish Dump), published in 1925, the earliest volume of poetry by a single author in the history of Xhosa literature.

Solilo's literary reputation today, however, is at variance with his prominence as a major author in the first four decades of the twentieth century: he is hardly mentioned, if at all, by literary historians, Izala has long been out of print, and copies can no longer be located. In restoring to the public domain the 65 poems that made up Izala and adding an additional 28 that were published in newspapers both before and after the appearance of Izala, the editors hope to revive John Solilo's reputation as a poet, and to establish his status as a pre-eminent Xhosa author.

In his poetry, Solilo urged passivity and opposed political revolt, but he could also be scathing in his denunciation of black indignities suffered under white control, inspired as he was by umoya wembongi, the spirit of the imbongi, the praise poet whose stirring declamations roused his audiences to action or contemplation.

University of KwaZulu-Natal Press: Southern African Development Community

List of contents

Foreword by Ncedile Saule
Introduction
Izala (1925)
Intshayelelo: Introduction
1. Tennyson
2. Gcina indlebe zako: Mind your ears
3. Libala uxolele: Forgive and forget
4. Imvisiswano: Harmony
5. Sobasisisulu xa singa fundi: With no education we'll be easy prey
6. Yaleka: Be warned
7. Intshwaqe yembongi: The poet's rant
8. Izibongo zika Yesu wase Nazarete: The praises of Jesus of Nazareth
9. Esikolweni: At school
10. Funda: Learn
11. Cingela nabanye: Consider others
12. U-kufa: Death
13. Vuya Lovedale: Rejoice, Lovedale
14. Gqalisisa: Pay attention
15. Igqala: An observer
16. Nombina Taketu
17. Okunqabele o-Ntsundu: Constraints on blacks
18. Izibongo zika Ntsikana: The praises of Ntsikana
19. Ngokufa kone zinto: On the death of a wealthy man
20. Intsini: Laughter
21. Okutandwa ngabanye kubi kwabanye: What's liked by one seems bad to another
22. U-buhle bezinto: Nature's splendour
23. S.E. Mqayi
24. Ngo moya we mbongi: The poet's spirit
25. Ngomteto wezibongo: Poetic rules
26. Indalo: The natural order
27. Ntab' elanga: Ntabelanga
28. Intsonkota: A parable
29. Ingoma yaba-ntwana base Africa: Song of the children of Africa
30. Amasiko: Customs
31. Canon Binyon
32. Ngokulibala uyabulala: Forgetfulness kills
33. Aba-mele Inxuba: Fish River representatives
34. Komani: Queenstown
35. Fundani bazali: Parents, learn
36. Intyilelo: The revelation
37. Ukuqayiselana: Mutual boasting
38. Savela isono sam: My sin came to light
39. Don Jabavu
40. Ingxoxo (Inyembezi ezingena msuli): A debate (Tears with none to dab them)
41. Isimanga sembali: A wondrous tale
42. Mtandi we sizwe: The lover of nation
43. Nxukwebe: Healdtown
44. Pantsi pezulu: Topsy turvy
45. Isiyalo nge mfundo: Admonition on education
46. Ziyaguquka izinto: The times are changing
47. Malumko ase Africa: African intellectuals
48. Ndiyamtanda u-Mxosa: I love a Xhosa
49. Iyeza lesimilo: Character tonic
50. Abarori: The disgruntled
51. Incoko nokufa: Conversation with death
52. Ukunganeli: Dissatisfaction
53. Susa amehlo ebubini: Stop seeing the bad
54. Ngokuzicingela: Vanity
55. Fehleli: Dead In Life
56. Unina: The mother
57. Impendulo ye nxila: The drunkard's reply
58. Yinjezu: A side-long glance
59. Yeka into zabanye: Mind your own business
60. Uku yola kobu denge: The joy of ignorance
61. A-makonza avanayo: Servants in harmony
62. Ngu nawe nawe: It's you! It's you!
63. Inyaniso: Truth
64. Nditiyiwe: Nobody loves me
65. Heli ka Teba: Harry Taberer
Isihlomelo: Glossary
Ezinye izibongo: Additional poems
66. Indaba ze Nxanxadi: The shrike's news (1923)
67. Isiyalo ku batshati (amadoda): An exhortation to newlyweds (men) (1924)
68. Yiva Mtakati: Listen, sorcerer (1924)
69. Izwe lam: My country (1924)
70. Satana: Satan (1924)
71. Bawo-Kilesimesi: Father Christmas (1926)
72. Bancede abantu: Help the people (1926)
73. Izijungqe zenteto: A few extra words (1926)
74. Nge bhanela: The flag (1926)
75. Ngo Provincial William M. Gcule: Provincial William M. Gcule (1926)
76. Isi bini sika Mvelo: Nature's couple (1927)
77. Umfo ono mona: The envious man (1927)
78. Ndibeka ilitye: An epitaph (1927)
79. Nongqause Mhlakaza: Nongqawuse daughter of Mhlakaza (1927)
80. Usiba lwam: My fountain pen (1927)
81. I-xoxo: The frog (1927)
82. U-bomi: Life (1927)
83. Intshayelelo: An introduction (1928)
84. Igqweta lase Lady Frere: A Lady Frere lawyer (1928)
85. Ku Canon Malgas: To Canon Malgas (1928)
86. Rev. S.S. Kuze (1928)
87. Ngo Rev. W.C. Dakada: On Rev. W.C. Dakada (1928)
88. Jeremiah Sikiti (1928)
89. M. Pelem (1928)
90. Yenza: Do (1933)
91. Ngokufa: On death (1933)
92. Amatshivela: Shirkers (1933)
93. Ngomso: Tomorrow (1935)
Biographical appendices
Sources
Bibliography

About the author

John Solilo, Edited by Jeff Opland and Peter T. Mtuze

Product details

• Assisted by: Peter T Mtuze (Editor), Jeff Opland (Editor), Peter T Mtuze (Translation), Jeff Opland (Translation)
• Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 01.12.2025
• EAN: 9781847014467
• ISBN: 978-1-84701-446-7
• No. of pages: 436
• Subject: Fiction > Poetry, drama