Conflict and its resolution in 'Nguni' folktales: in Xhosa 'iintsomi' and Zulu and Ndebele 'izinganekwane'

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Periodical article

Title:	Conflict and its resolution in 'Nguni' folktales: in Xhosa 'iintsomi' and Zulu and Ndebele 'izinganekwane'
Author:	Nondo, S.J.
Year:	1991
Periodical:	Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research (ISSN 1013-3445)
Volume:	3
Issue:	2
Period:	July
Pages:	144-162
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic term:	Southern Africa
Subjects:	Nguni social conflicts folk tales Anthropology, Folklore, Culture folklore Conflicts Nguni (African people)
Abstract:	In this article the term 'Nguni' is used in a restricted sense (excluding the Swati, the Transvaal Ndebele and the Ngoni), while Ndebele refers to the Ndebele of Zimbabwe. The all-embracing theme of Xhosa folktales or 'iintsomi' (and, by implication, also of Zulu and Ndebele tales or 'izinganekwane' since all these people belong to the same Nguni stock with related past experiences) is 'life' as seen through the eyes of these peoples. In Nguni folktales theme, plot, and conflict and its resolution are intricately interwoven. A close study of the vices and desires that bring about conflict and of the manner of overcoming such conflict confirms the observation that tales have, as their source, life in its entirety. Illustrative examples of conflict and its resolution are taken from a Xhosa tale, 'The turban' (A.C. Jordan, 1973), and a Zulu tale, 'Nananabosele' (J. Stuart, 1938). They show that Nguni folktales emphasize a wholesome social and moral order and the fulfilment of life in this order which has customs as its pillars. Bibliogr.