I lived from 1892-1966.
I was from Zimbabwe.
Gudugwe Mlilo was an Imbongis (praise-singers). He recited his poetry and relied on the oral tradition to preserve it He never wrote down his poetry or had it recorded elctronically and the fact that it survives is thanks to Jerry Zondo who memorised it.
Read full description by Marigoes + Oldpoetry Research Team...
Mlilo lived and died in the area of the Matopo Hills. He served in King Lobhengula’s regiment as a young man in the Amawaba Amnyama, and was based at Mawabeni, a communal area some sixty kilometres south of Bulawayo. This military background is the basis for his nostalgic reflections and provides a constant reference point for his work.
Although Mlilo was an exceptional poet he never had his work recorded. In fact he was probably unaware that this was even possible. He believed that his audience would listen to him, and, if they liked his poetry, would memorise it themselves in order to recite it to another audience at another time. (The few poems that survive were memorised by Jerry Zondo.)
Mlilo himself had a good memory and so inevitably he became the ‘official’ repository of family or clan praises – he could recite the praises of any family in the Ntunjambili community and so he was constantly involved in the long, ceremonial greetings where it was necessary to include the various clan names of the many, distinguished individuals involved.
After his death he was buried in a cave because locals believed that he had been one of the band of poets in the official entourage in King Lobhengula’s court.
Links of interest include
http://zimbabwe.poetryinternationalweb.org/piw_cms/cms/cms_module/index.php?obj_id=8540
My poetry
Son of Nqindi shut the canon with your loin skins!
Zimangele’s world will erupt.
13 lines
The Reverend Shepstone? Really!
The fence consumes the gourds!
12 lines
Valangebhetshu mfokaNqindi!
Uzoquphuka umhlaba wawoZimangele
13 lines
Ahelile amankonyana Ulevulendi Shiphisitoni!
Uthango ludla amankonyana,
12 lines
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