A literary analysis of Lifela Tsa Litsamaea-naha

Abstract

The title of this thesis is A Literary Analysis of Lifela tsa Litsarnaea-naha poetry. This poetry is an oral literary genre composed by the Basotho migrant, mine workers. The analysis given is on the collected and documented poems taped from the migrant, mine artists themselves at home and the mine recruiting offices in Lesotho. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is the literary analysis of the poems. The second part is the appendices of these poems in the Sesotho language, the original language used by the artists. The English translation of these poems is included in this part. This part also includes some appendices of tapes provided for anyone interested to listen to the performance of this poetry. The first part consists of five chapters with the first chapter as the "Introduction" in which we have dealt with the economic, social, political and cultural background to the

tsa Litsamaea-naha poetry. These conditions have led to the emergence and perpetuation of this poetry. The second chapter is on "The Artist, Audience and Performance in Iifelatsa Litsamaea-naha Poetry". These aspects play an important role in the composition and performance of this kind of poetry. fie have demonstrated that, since this poetry is an oral performance, the aspects mentioned above must be fully discussed in its analysis. - In the third chapter, "Analysis of the major themes of the artists of Lifela tsa Litsamaea-naha Poetry",we have explored the major concerns of the various artists. These concerns are the themes of the struggle of poverty and want of basic human necessities. The artists have also expressed their experiences and hardships common to African migrant mine workers in South Africa. The artists have exposed the economlc and social consequences of migrant labour system. They have revealed that this system exploits and dehumanizes migrant miners. The system has brought about desertion of families and family break up of m igrant miners.The artist have also depicted some of the customs and values of the Basotho during the colonial and neo-colonial periods. Some of the custorus depicted are bohali (wedding ceremonies and dowry ) and lebollo (initiation rites). Some of the values are the concerns of parents towards their children. The fourth chapter is the PAnalysis of the literary style in Lifela tsa Litsamaea-naha poetry." In this chapter we have discussed the style and language used by various artists. Since this is an oral, poetic genre, many poetic devices have been discussed and examplified. Our major concern has been to delve into the artistic qualities of this poetry which are best appreciated upon live performance. In the last chapter, the "Conclusion", we have demonstratec that the artists are aware that the migrant, mine labour system is exploitative, inhuman and oppressive. They are, therefore, condernning it and protesting against it in subtle artistic terms.We have further shown that, though

the artists are condemning this system and protesting against it, they do not show clearly who bears the responsibility for their miserable life. We have further demonstrated that this poetry is an art form with its own artistic values which are best grasped within the economic, social, historical and cultural context of Lesotho. .