When is a praise poem recited

For the Ndebele of Zimbabwe , the griot is known as the imbongi. Below is a praise poem celebrating the Ndebele King Lobengula. Hemans around c. His son, Bova Ndhlovu , acted as interpreter, assisting Hemans with the translation. For the entire poem, with the Ndebele version, please check out African Poems.

Praise Poem for Lobengula. It roared like a calf. Grass does not burn in the Kalahari, some burns and bends. He whose majesty is like that of his father Matshobana. Cattle have popularity, they are lowing and attract afar. He whose path is winding like that of ants. The small bird of the spear, so small it can sit on the spear. Praises Given to the Kings of the Amandebele , T. Hemans, Nada X, 3 n.

Lobengula is contrasted with Mzilikazi for failing to protect the nation. He is a calf compared to a bull and his roaring is not impressive. He assumed the miners would accept his kingship, but it was soon evident that the BSA were coming as colonizers.

He who has books is Charles Rudd , the treaty bearer, and the river crossing is the Limpopo, the southern border to Ndebele territory. Later in praise [line] 12, he comes food they feed from.

See also praises 6 and Lobengula is the grass that does not burn. See also praise 15, where his course is winding like that of ants. Lobengula is credited with no military virtues and his anger is directed at commoners. Reblogged this on Green Ankh blog.

It doesn't tell a story, it simply lavishes praise on the subject. These poems were originally on the spur of the moment compositions and frequently created by the one being praised. Which sounds to me to be more brag than praise, but I like the positive vibe this genre expends. We have to believe in ourselves first to truly recognize the glory in others. Praise poems are often composed right after a personal or national victory or composed to be sung for gatherings of various kinds.

The genre seems to be the counterpart of Insult Poetry. The structure of the poetry is at the discretion of the poet. The one praised is usually still alive. One evolution of the genre extends to praise of the migrants who became laborers of the African mines and is called the "song of the country travelers".

Nostalgia, aggression and satire have become features of the verse. There is not a lot of information is available in English about the traditions of this genre which makes sense because of the oral and indigenous nature of the poetry. But the simple fact that these cultures not only composed, recited and also named this tradition is very telling about the cultures themselves. They even have a name for the performers, griots West African praise-singers, poets or musicians One might call these the South African version of the Paeon.

As described these poems could be considered Odes. One source suggests we first write a Praise Poem about ourselves and provides this formula:. Another source suggests the Praise Poem can be written about oneself or someone else using one "praise name" in each line. The praise song could be chanted to a drum beat or performed as a song. From the standpoint of the written word, the poet should pay particular attention to the sound and rhythm of their word choices. It should read like it sounds.

Rhyme is at the discretion of the poet but should be a secondary element if used at all. Jimmy Carter, Humility Raised Up Here is James Earl Carter, born to farm the land, navigated the ocean floor in wartime, grew to lead a nation, and inspire a world.

Governor of the Great State of Georgia, he is the good heart of the South. Connected hands across war zones. Nobel Peace Prize Winner, sitting enemies at the same table, negotiating peaceful resolve.

Humanitarian, spearheaded effort that eradicated deadly Guinea disease, with hammer and nails builds houses for the poor.