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The relationship between orality and literacy has been an ongoing debate that attracted the attention of many scholars of literature. The debate is steered by the different standpoints from which critics of literature view the concept literature. In the book, the author highlights the fine line that exists between oral literature and written literature. Through the work of the renowned Xhosa imbongi, S.E.K. Mqhayi, the author unpacks the dynamics of this connection by looking at literature from a socio-cultural, socio-historical perspective.

Title page ...i
Abstract ...ii
Declaration ...iv
Acknowledgements ...v

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ...1
1.1. Background ...1
1.2. Statement of the problem ...2
1.3. Objectives and research questions ...4
1.4. Definition of terms ...7
1.5. Literature review ...8
1.6. Research methodology ...12
1.7. Outline of chapters ...13

CHAPTER II THE NATURE AND STATUS OF THE TRADITIONAL IMBOGI AND THAT OF XHOSA ORAL POETRY ...15
2.1. What was the role of the traditional imbongi? ...15
2.2. What status did the imbongi have in society? ...25
2.3. What characteristics Xhosa ora poetry? ...29

CHAPTER 3 WHO IS MQHAYI? ...51
3.1. Mqhayi's life history ...51
3.2. Mqhayi's literary work and its contribution to Xhosa poetry ..54
3.3. The role of Mqhayi as transitional figure between oral and written traditions ...61

CHAPTER 4 MQHAYI AND SOME OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES ...98
4.1. Introduction ...98
4.2. Mqhayi and some of this contemporaries ...103

CHAPTER 5 MQHAYI AND MODERN IMBONGI: A REFLECTION OF ORALITY AND LITERACY ...126
5.1. Introduction ...126
5.2. The influence of Mqhayi on modern imbongi ...126

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION ...155
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...156
APPENDICES ...161