Selfhood in Tshivenda Poetry: Reflections on Vhavenda’s Identity, Culture and Ideology

An Ark of the Vhavenda's Identity, Culture and Ideology

Abstract

Contemporary scholarship largely ignores the role of Tshiven?a literature in reflecting the Vhaven?a people’s identity, culture and ideology. This article argues that there is a formidable connection between Tshiven?a literature and Tshiven?a culture. Underpinned by a trifocal theoretical framework that draws on Afrocentricity, the hermeneutic approach and postcolonial theory, this article brings into critical focus the Vhaven?a poets’ articulation of selfhood. The selected Vhaven?a poets are W. M. R. Sigwavhulimu, N. A. Milubi and R. F. Ratshi?anga. The aim of this article is to reflect on how these poets reveal the Vhaven?a people’s construction and articulation of selfhood.