The Birth Of Shaka Poem Analysis

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In Sepamla’s poem “This Land,” he focuses more on Black South African’s heritage in order to build a sense of Unity and pride; “This land defines its texture by me/ its sweat and blood are salted by me/ I’ve strained muscles yoked/on the turning wheel of this land/ I am this land of mine/ I’ve never asked for a portion/ there’s never been a need to/ I am he land” (Sepamla, 17.) The purpose of the Black Consciousness movement was to destroy the notion of Black inferiority that apartheid has tirelessly tried to instill, Sepamla helps build the Black Consciousness by letting his Black South African readers know that the land they live in has always been theirs no matter who takes it and tries to control it, they are truly African and Africa will …show more content…

As one of most prominent historical figures in South African history, and as one of the most powerful monarchs of the Zulu kingdom, Shaka Zulu is used as symbol of strength for all Black Africans in Mtshali’s poem; “His heart was shaped into an ox shield/ to foil every foe./ Ancestors forged/ his muscles into/ thongs as tough/ as water bark/and nerves as sharp as/ syrinha thorns./ His eyes were lanterns/ that shone from the dark valleys of Zululand, /to see white swallows/ coming across the sea” (Mtshali, Fireflames.) Calling attention to their rich and powerful history, Mtshali uses his poetry as a history lesson and a cultural lesson; his poetry empowers Black South Africans, and causes them to appreciate their history. In “The light of the poetic spirit,” Mtshali explains how poetry is the language of emotions and how it is an artistic way for people to express their opinions and beliefs and how poetry itself is a weapon against any oppressive system; “Apartheid was the epitome of divisiveness. Its antithesis is the poetic spirit, a spirit that transcends boundaries and crosses all the borders of culture, ethnicity, race, color, creed,

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