Hlalutya Umbongo

Intlakohlaza (Spring) by JJR Jolobe

Analyse a poem

Ngubani uJJR Jolobe?

Author and poet

James Ranisi Jolobe

Born in 1902 and passed away in 1976

Best known for his collection of poems, Umyezo (1936).

He also played a major role in the compilation and

translation of the English-Xhosa-Afrikaans dictionary.

He was known as Imbongi Yemnqamlezo (Poet of the

cross)

An umfundisi (minister) of the Presbyterian church.

Ukucaphula (Quote)

“Apho igazi lenu lithe lathontsela khona,

Kolimila intyatyambo evumba limnandi, eliya

Kuthwala ngamaphiko empepho, zithi zonki

Izizwe zilirogele.” -JJR Jolobe

(Wherever your blood has dropped, will

Blossom a flower of exceeding sweetness,

Whose scent will be carried on the wings

Of the air, and all the nations will inhale it).

Types of Peoms

1.Umbongo – mbaliso = narrative poem, where a story is told.

2.Umbongo – nkcazo = descriptive poem, no story and just describes different things or circumstances.

INTLAKOHLAZA – JJR Jolobe

1. Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!

Spring we are greeting you!

2. Mvuseleli, sithi tyaph'ufike.

You are the refresher/ Everything that was dead is now

refreshed

2. Luhl'uhlaza olwambes'umhlaba,

Beautiful is the grass that covers the soil,

3. Neentyatyambo ezigqagqeleyo.

And the flowers that are scattered

Ubulusizi umhlaba ukhedamile,

You were sad/ The soil was depressed

Uxwebil'uhlininika, umbi-

It was dry, about to cry, ugly

Namhla uyancuma, uyahleka,

Today you smile, you laugh

Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!

Spring, we greet you!

Ubugugile, wambeth'amajacu, You were old, wearing rags

Uneentloni, amehlo ejonge phantsi; Shy, your eyes looking down,

Wawambesa, wanjengomtshakazi. Revived, you are like a bride

Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!Spring we greet you!

Rags = old

dry leaves

Ibisozela yonk'into eyindalo; It was falling asleep everything that is nature;

Mphaphamisi, uyivuse yonke. You woke everything up/ You are the rouser

Emithini isandi seenyosi In the trees the sound of bees

Neseentaka asiswelekanga.And of the birds you cannot miss it

Yonwabile nayo imifula,The streams are happy

Iyadloba ngokwamatakane,Hopping and skipping like kids (baby goats)

Ihlokoma, idanduluka isithi,Making a noise shouting/saying

“Ntlakohla, siyakubulisa!”“Spring, we greet you!”

Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa! Spring, we greet you!

Silandeli sobusik'obubi, You are the follower (of a bad winter)

Mfudumezi emva kwamakhephu, The warmer after the snow,

Mniki-bomi olandel'intshazo.Giver of life that follows the whithering.

Important Vocabulary!

1. Theme:

2. Meaning:

3. Rhetorical Question:

4. Message:

5. Tone:

Umongo

Intsingiselo

Umbuzo-buciko

Imfundiso

Umoya

Umongo: (theme) the main issue the poem is dealing with.

Intsingiselo: (meaning) what the figures of speech and poetic language is trying to convey.

Umbuzo-buciko: (rhetorical question) a question that does not need an answer but is used to emphasise a point.

Imfundiso: (message) what they poet is trying to tell the reader.

Umoya: (tone) spirit or emotion behind the poem.

Figures of speech:

1.Metaphor:

2.Simile:

3.Hyperbole:

4.Personification:

Isikweko

Isifaniso

Ubabbazo/ugqithiso

Isimntwiso

Isikweko: direct comparison of two things

Isifaniso: comparing two things using as or

like.

Ubabazo/ugqithiso: gross over exageration

Isimntwiso: giving an object human

qualities.

Intlakohlaza (Spring) by JJR Jolobe

Umongo: Praise of springImfundiso: Spring is something we

should welcome and praise as it revives the earth after winter.

Umoya: Praise, positive, joyful, celebratory.