Xhosa izibongo: Improvised line

Abstract

The tradition of Xhosa izibongo is similar to the tradition of Zulu izibongo, except in the poetry of the imbongi: The Xhosa imbongi displays a greater tendency to improvisation than his Zulu counterpart. The structure of such improvised poetry may be viewed as an extension of other forms of izibongo, which are constructed from a core of nominéis expanded into verses, in turn occasionally expanded into stanzas. The analytical techniques of Dell Hymes promote an appreciation not only of this structure but also of the aesthetic implications of the poem as a whole.