News / Local
Pathisa Nyathi publishes new book ‘Lozikeyi Dlodlo - Queen of the Ndebele'
29 Mar 2012 at 17:58hrs | Views
Bulawayo based author and educationist, Pathisa Nyathi has published a new book titled 'Lozikeyi Dlodlo - Queen of the Ndebele,' under Amagugu Publishers.
The book attempts to shade light on the role of women in the Ndebele society that has for years been interpreted as dominated by men.
In the book, Nyathi together with Marieke Clarke have produced an account of one of the formidable wives of Lobengula Khumalo, the last king of the pre-colonial Ndebele nation.
In an interview with ZBC News, Nyathi, who published the book under his label, Amagugu Publishers, said the book explains the grey areas of the role of women in the
Ndebele society especially the life of Queen Lozikeyi.
"I used a diverse and extensive range of archival material and oral sources, and supported by authoritative and comprehensive appendices to help the reader identify key personnel in the book. After Lobengula's disappearance, she remained a power house in the land and took it upon herself to speak for the Ndebele people," said Nyathi.
The book which Nyathi co-wrote with Marieke Clarke narrates the story of Queen Lozikeyi, a story teller and Ndebele royal woman who inherited a strong constitutional position from Nguni royal foremothers in Zululand.
The story then goes on show how Lobengula's senior queen and other Ndebele royal women used their power in society.
"Qeeen Lizikeyi was one of Lobengula's senior wives. A conspicuous and commanding figure, she was big, bold and beautiful women of ample proportions and clearly the leading spirit among the Ndebele queens. With a quick intelligence and ready wit, she was also remarkable among Ndebele women," added Nyathi.
A member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage local UNESCO committee, Pathisa Nyathi is based in Bulawayo where he runs a culture centre called Amagugu Arts.
Born in Sakonjana in Kezi, Matobo district in 1951, he has written more than 15 books.
This edition is also expected to be unveiled at the Bulawayo Book Fair chapter which runs from Friday to next week.
The book attempts to shade light on the role of women in the Ndebele society that has for years been interpreted as dominated by men.
In the book, Nyathi together with Marieke Clarke have produced an account of one of the formidable wives of Lobengula Khumalo, the last king of the pre-colonial Ndebele nation.
In an interview with ZBC News, Nyathi, who published the book under his label, Amagugu Publishers, said the book explains the grey areas of the role of women in the
Ndebele society especially the life of Queen Lozikeyi.
"I used a diverse and extensive range of archival material and oral sources, and supported by authoritative and comprehensive appendices to help the reader identify key personnel in the book. After Lobengula's disappearance, she remained a power house in the land and took it upon herself to speak for the Ndebele people," said Nyathi.
The story then goes on show how Lobengula's senior queen and other Ndebele royal women used their power in society.
"Qeeen Lizikeyi was one of Lobengula's senior wives. A conspicuous and commanding figure, she was big, bold and beautiful women of ample proportions and clearly the leading spirit among the Ndebele queens. With a quick intelligence and ready wit, she was also remarkable among Ndebele women," added Nyathi.
A member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage local UNESCO committee, Pathisa Nyathi is based in Bulawayo where he runs a culture centre called Amagugu Arts.
Born in Sakonjana in Kezi, Matobo district in 1951, he has written more than 15 books.
This edition is also expected to be unveiled at the Bulawayo Book Fair chapter which runs from Friday to next week.
Source - Zbc
