ANALYSIS OF SEK Mhakayi 1
ANALYSIS OF ‘AFTER THE BATTLE’ by S.E.K Mqhayi
Mqhayi got his inspiration for his poems from listening to the elders as they shared their stories about the struggles and triumphs of Xhosa greats like, Hintsa kaKhawutu and Gcaleka kaPhalo. His works consistently called for Africans to be united. He took an opinioned stance on issues that would normally be filed as inconsequential. The narrative poem “After the Battle”, articulate this by beseeching his people to “hear” him. His words are soulful in conveying the message of the impending “Gilikankqo”. He denounces the people’s behavior towards each other and urges them to see the impending colonization of their land as of critical importance. His use of imagery creates a potent tactile, visual, auditory and olfactory sense of participation by his audience.
Mqhayi starts his poem off by grabbing the people’s attention, exclaiming; “Ho-o-o-o-o-o-yini! Ho-o-o-o-yini!” (line one) He uses exclamation marks to strengthen the tone of his oration to the people. One visualizes Mqhayi standing on a podium addressing his people. He desires their attention and implores the people to listen to his words, ‘although his position amongst his comrades was that of a normal person as opposed to a chief or warrior’.
Mqhayi got his inspiration for his poems from listening to the elders as they shared their stories about the struggles and triumphs of Xhosa greats like, Hintsa kaKhawutu and Gcaleka kaPhalo. His works consistently called for Africans to be united. He took an opinioned stance on issues that would normally be filed as inconsequential. The narrative poem “After the Battle”, articulate this by beseeching his people to “hear” him. His words are soulful in conveying the message of the impending “Gilikankqo”. He denounces the people’s behavior towards each other and urges them to see the impending colonization of their land as of critical importance. His use of imagery creates a potent tactile, visual, auditory and olfactory sense of participation by his audience.
Mqhayi starts his poem off by grabbing the people’s attention, exclaiming; “Ho-o-o-o-o-o-yini! Ho-o-o-o-yini!” (line one) He uses exclamation marks to strengthen the tone of his oration to the people. One visualizes Mqhayi standing on a podium addressing his people. He desires their attention and implores the people to listen to his words, ‘although his position amongst his comrades was that of a normal person as opposed to a chief or warrior’.