In Search of Doctor Dolittle in Zambian Bemba Fiction

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe and engage the Zambian writer Stephen Mpashi's work entitled Pano Calo (1956). Mpashi's material is presented in the Bemba language, one of the major Zambian vernaculars. The material has been synthesised in English in this article for ease of access. An attempt is made in the discussion that ensues to provide an analogous analysis of Pano Calo with the material in the film The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1997). In the film African American actor Eddie Murphy plays the part of John Dolittle who has the power of speaking to animals. The article makes an attempt to bring to the surface the potential role of the Zambian literary material in the vernacular in informing modern-day popular culture.

Opsomming

Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die Zambiese skrywer Stephen Mpashi se werk Pano Calo (1956) te beskryf en te bestudeer. Mpashi se materiaal word in die Bemba-taal, een van die hooftale in Zambie, aangebied. Die materiaal word in hierdie artikel in Engels gesintetiseer sodat dit maklik toeganklik is. In die bespreking wat volg, word daar gepoog om 'n analogiese ontleding van Pano Calo en die materiaal in die film The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1997) te gee. In die film vertolk die Afro-Amerikaanse akteur Eddie Murphy die rol van 'n karakter wat die mag kry om met diere te praat. Hierdie artikel is 'n poging om die potensiaal van die literere materiaal in die Zambiese dialek om moderne populere kultuur te inspireer, aan die lig te bring.