The Wrath of the Ancestors

by A.C. Jordan

A Xhosa prince reluctantly leaves the University College of Fort Hate and goes back to the land of his ancestors to take his place as king of the Mpondomise. The clash of his modem ideas and the traditional beliefs of his people mirrors the dash of the western way of life with African custom and tradition -- church-people versus traditionalists, school people versus 'red-ochre people', boarding school activities versus the inkundla or assembly at the royal place. The conclusion, that disaster can be averted only by the willingness of opposing forces to work together for mutual comprehension of the legitimate claims of tradition and modernity, gives a foretaste of the spirit that governed modern South Africa's political transformation. Ingqumbo Yeminyanya -- The Wrath of the Ancestors -- is a classic of Xhosa literature. A C Jordan has a keen eye for detail, a delightful sense of humour and a dramatic style. Literal translations of Xhosa images, idioms and proverbs transport readers to the Tsolo district and conjure up the memorable speeches of the Mpondomise counsellors.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, South Africa, African Literature

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Archibald Campbell Mzolisa Jordan (30 October 1906 - 20 October 1968) was a novelist, literary historian and intellectual pioneer of African studies in South Africa.

Reviews

[Nomafrika]

I have a personal attachment to this story, firstly being able to read it from start to finish to add to the childhood mores of the Drama series that was so captivating and I will add the characters on the series were so well matched!

1. Zwelinzima and Thembeka
Thembeka and Zwelinzima, are the Barack and Michelle of the Mpondomise tribe their love story is inspiring in that it shows what true role models they were of excellence and good family they are # couplegoals at the start. The stuggle of westernisation on their part versus the practice of cultural norms may have been Thembeka's undoing, this is a threat that still exits today for plenty that received a western education and don't practice any stringent cultural customs, beyond Lobola, given the backdrop of today's youth reclaim their culture this reference is key as there is a clear shift of how affection is expressed...this is a good blueprint:)

2. Friendship
The friendship that exists between Mputhumi and Thembeka is really admirable, his loyalty to me was heart warming. Nomvuyo and Thembeka, though I did find myself wishing she would have been a traditionally inclined person so as to forewarn Thembeka, a follower her part left me sad as she was clearly the most vulnerable in the group and found her peace thorough the naming of her child.

3 Chief Devil Dingindawo!!!!!
Ohhhh this, this, this man was portrayed by uTat' Ken Kampu in the series how well captured, his cunning nature is even more vivid though text and by far worst villain, but his end showed him to be a coward who may have truly killed his Brother Zanemvula.

4. Gcinizibele
Step - Father to Zwelinzima, this man to me wins the award! Not only for his parting words to his Son, but the bond he and his wife had with him....I do wish that the Chief could had called on him more for guidance.... * but I will add that in the series adaptation*

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In the introduction, R.L Peteni writes of the book: "In giving literal translations of Xhosa, images, idioms and proverbs, the aim is transport the reader as does the Xhosa version of the book. But translation as it's best can only be a poor imitation."

I am grateful for the journey as I am not a Xhosa speaker, but this to me was a read come true.

[Clare O'Beara]

I can't comment on the legends of another culture, so I'll just treat this as a novel like any other and say what I didn't like or did like. This is a historical novel, from a time of steam trains. A young prince attends university, but not for long, before returning home.
The amount of killing of animals and discussions about wiping out goats or black goats, means this is not something I could enjoy. I also found that women are treated as second class and men tend to feel they should own or control the women.
Indian people are in the story, which explains a man bragging about killing a tiger. There's also a priest, who understands a local language but not all the uses of terms and phrases. This confuses matters.
I like that a large red and white ox is being kept as a favoured animal, but I don't like that it's considered wrong for women to stroke it, not that anyone warns the women before they go stroke it.
A tale where a mother sees a snake has crept into her baby's bedding outside, in a group of people, is horrendous. She screams, bravely grabs the snake, since nobody else is, and throws it away. Then she picks up her baby and takes him indoors. Then she returns, grabs a stick, since nobody else is, and still upset, strikes the snake to kill it. Everyone is shocked that she is disrespecting the snake because it is an emblem of someone's tribe. Nobody supports her for saving her baby.
The story finishes up with a murder and riotous assault, all of which seems to show that going to university wasn't much help in this land. Even if they do play cricket now.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.

[Wela Kabane]

I searched for the Xhosa version and never found it, but the English version still hits home. A tale about wanting what you can't have, about turning your back on your ancestors and the repurcussions of that. Forever tragic, but expected. It's also great to have a window into that period of South Africa, when there was a struggle between balancing historical practises and western influences