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Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma Paperback – April 1, 2009
- Print length162 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherJacana Media
- Publication dateApril 1, 2009
- Dimensions5.75 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-101920196064
- ISBN-13978-1920196066
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Black Bull, Ancestors and Me
By Nkunzi Zandile NkabindeJacana Media (Pty) Ltd
Copyright © 2008 GALAAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-920196-06-6
Contents
Praise,Title Page,
Copyright Page,
Acknowledgements,
CHAPTER ONE - Life and Death,
CHAPTER TWO - A Child in Two Worlds,
CHAPTER THREE - Out and About,
CHAPTER FOUR - Following the Light,
CHAPTER FIVE - Remembering the Ancient Paths,
CHAPTER SIX - Finding the Balance,
CHAPTER SEVEN - In Search of Community,
CHAPTER EIGHT - The Ancestors Don't Mind,
CHAPTER NINE - Doing Things Differently,
CHAPTER 10 - Hate Crimes,
CHAPTER ELEVEN - Making Connections,
GLOSSARY,
Other titles by Fanele,
Other titles by Jacana,
CHAPTER 1
Life and Death
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abe sengingu Nkunzi Emnyama
(Lo! I am now Black Bull)
Insizwa yakwa Sangweni
(The young man of Sangweni)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abe sengidabuka ngenjabulo
(Lo! I now originate with joy)
Phezukomsebenzi wama khehla
(Upon the work of men)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abe sengithanda ukudumisa uyise wami
(Lo! I now love to glorify my father)
Abesengizalwa ngu Elemina
(Lo! I am now born of Elemina)
Insizwa yakwa muNsipa
(The young man of Nsipa)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abesekuba umkhulu uMahlasela
(Lo! There is now grandfather Mahlasela)
Insizwa Kadumase
(The young man of Dumase)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abesekuba umkhulu Dungamazi
(Lo! There is now grandfather Dungamazi)
Insizwa kaHlatshwayo
(The young man of Hlatshwayo)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abese kuba ngugogo Thumba
(Lo! There is now grandmother, Thumba)
Insizwa kaMcobokazi
(The young man of Mcobokazi)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abesekuba ngugogo Mkhulu Manza
(Lo! There is now great grandmother Manza)
Abese kuba inyoni elimhlophe lihlezi phezu kwamalwandle
(Lo! There is now a white bird sitting upon the oceans)
Abese kuba idada lidabula amanzi ngezimpiko
(Lo! There is now a duck cutting the water with its wings)
Abe sekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abese ngithanda uku nanazela abanikazi bempande
(Lo! I love to applaud the givers of the root)
Bona abangidabula ikhanda
(They who mend my head)
Bangivula isifuba
(They open my chest)
Ngisho impande ka Majoye
(I say the root of Majoye)
Abesekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abese ngithanda ukunanazela abanikazi bempande
(Lo! I now love to applaud the givers of the root)
Bona abangidabula ikhanda
(They who mend my head)
Bangivula isifuba
(They open my chest)
Ngisho impande ka Majoye
(I say the root of Majoye)
Abesekunjalo kakhulu
(Lo! It is now well so)
Abese ngithanda ukunanazela abanikazi bempande
(Lo! I now love to applaud the givers of the root)
THIS IS A PRAISE POEM to my ancestor, Nkunzi. Nkunzi is the ancestor who
Product details
- Publisher : Jacana Media (April 1, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 162 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1920196064
- ISBN-13 : 978-1920196066
- Item Weight : 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,476,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,053 in LGBTQ+ Demographic Studies
- #44,570 in Community & Culture Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2013This book has just about all of my favorite things in a story: a strong, engaging central character; insight into a way of life and approach that is different from my own; significant introspection and meaning-making; and the interplay of weighty concerns without weighty and academic language. It also happens to be a true memoir.
The author stands (like most of my favorite authors) at some significant intersections of history, culture, and identity. She tells her story honestly and bluntly - in the same manner that she engages with her ancestors, her peers, and her mentors & teachers. She has many important things to say about how to negotiate and preserve important cultural traditions without letting them overwhelm and erase her own individuality.
I have been talking about this book to anyone who will listen, and I hope it reaches more and more of an audience.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014I am very thankful to Nkunzi Zandile for sharing their story. There is so much to tell. I will hold on to this.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2013The first thing that is immediately apparent when reading Black Bull, Ancestors and Me, is Nkunzi's overwhelming confidence in herself and her place in the world. She is not afraid of breaking with her culture's established viewpoints and, in all that she does, she seeks to find the middle ground. This is expressed in her balancing the male and female aspects of her self, as well as drawing from established traditions with a vision of a dynamic future.
In many ways Nkunzi was fortunate, because she was raised by a mother who accepted Nkunzi for who she was, and defended her from those who would discriminate. Though she does not shy away from examining the painful aspects of life, her entire book comes across with a huge amount of positive attitude, which is so refreshing - especially when we consider the constant doom and gloom in the media. Mostly, Nkunzi concerns herself with doing what is right - this might not be the easiest path to follow, but she has clearly spent much time examining herself and others, and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind.
Central to Nkunzi's worldview is her firm belief in the powers of her ancestors, who have guided her on her path as a sangoma. If you, like me, are curious about how important this belief system is to others, Nkunzi offers a fantastic way for readers to experience a bit of a paradigm shift to establish greater understanding. It's not necessary to believe as she does, but I finished this book with a better idea of why some folks follow this path.
Of particular interest also is Nkunzi's research, which she relates here as she's spent much time travelling to interview other same-sex sangomas in South Africa, and has offered a fascinating glimpse into this other world. She speaks plainly and from the heart, toward greater understanding. I do believe her voice should be heard, especially in the light of so many brutal attacks against lesbians in South Africa's townships.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2016This is one of the best books I have read in awhile. It tackles a wide range of issues with beautiful writing. Read it, you won't regret it.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2013This book is amazing! It's not just about being a lesbian. It's a sociology, anthropology, and religious studies book all wrapped into one memoir! No other book touches on the issues raised by this one, and I'd recommend it for anyone interested in African religions, spirituality, tribal life, or what life is like for lesbians who live in areas where being a lesbian still has a huge stigma attached to it.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2013Great book well written. Zandile kept you wanting more. At times I felt like I was traveling with her through her journey.