Kiba Poetry: Identity, Language, Culture, and Spirituality in Africa

To reclaim that which is lost, or to guard that which is under threat, one has to, firstly know, evaluate and calculate its worth. Oral poetry, the highest and richest artform, is the heart of oral tradition in various parts of southern Africa. Treating it, most of the 'returning to self' type of studies turn to substitute literary merit with cultural or socio-political relevance as if the two on their own constitute strong literature. Described as "original", "gripping" and "masterful", Maahlamela's book explores Kiba poetry of South Africa, underpinning the intersection of oral tradition, literature, language and spirituality among the Bapedi/Basotho ba Leboa. The functional, artistic and creative merit of this onionskin poetry is probed in both its secular and spiritual domains, through works of wordsmiths such as Petrus Molelemane, Johannes Mohlala, Alex Mathunyane, Matome Mothemane, Philip Tabane, and Motsha Motimele. Kiba poetry's various applications in the African initiated churches, especially the Zion Christian Church, is immensely explored, revealing that without Kiba poetry this ecumenical institution remains incomplete, and so is the South African poetry landscape.