This slide show gives some basic isiXhosa figures of speech and details a brief history of an isiXhosa poet, JJR. Jolobe. It will then give the English translation of one of his poems.

1. Hlalutya Umbongo
Analyse a poem
Intlakohlaza (Spring) by JJR Jolobe

2. Ngubani uJJR Jolobe?
Author and poet
 James Ranisi Jolobe
 Born in 1902 and passed away in 1976
 Best known for his collection of poems, Umyezo (1936).
 He also played a major role in the compilation and translation
of the English-Xhosa-Afrikaans dictionary.
 He was known as Imbongi Yemnqamlezo (Poet of the cross)
 An umfundisi (minister) of the Presbyterian church.

3. Ukucaphula (Quote)
“Apho igazi lenu lithe lathontsela khona,
Kolimila intyatyambo evumba limnandi, eliya
Kuthwala ngamaphiko empepho, zithi zonki
Izizwe zilirogele.” -JJR Jolobe
(Wherever your blood has dropped, will
Blossom a flower of exceeding sweetness,
Whose scent will be carried on the wings
Of the air, and all the nations will inhale it).

4. Types of Peoms
1.Umbongo – mbaliso = narrative poem,
where a story is told.
2.Umbongo – nkcazo = descriptive poem, no
story and just describes different things or
circumstances.

5. INTLAKOHLAZA – JJR Jolobe
1. Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!
Spring we are greeting you!
2. Mvuseleli, sithi tyaph'ufike.
You are the refresher/ Everything that was dead is now
refreshed
1. Luhl'uhlaza olwambes'umhlaba,
Beautiful is the grass that covers the soil,
1. Neentyatyambo ezigqagqeleyo.
And the flowers that are scattered

6. Ubulusizi umhlaba ukhedamile,
You were sad/ The soil was depressed
Uxwebil'uhlininika, umbi-
It was dry, about to cry, ugly
Namhla uyancuma, uyahleka,
Today you smile, you laugh
Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!
Spring, we greet you!

7. Ubugugile, wambeth'amajacu,
You were old, wearing rags
Uneentloni, amehlo ejonge phantsi;
Shy, your eyes looking down,
Wawambesa, wanjengomtshakazi.
Revived, you are like a bride
Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!
Spring we greet you!

8. Ibisozela yonk'into eyindalo;
It was falling asleep everything that is nature;
Mphaphamisi, uyivuse yonke.
You woke everything up/ You are the rouser
Emithini isandi seenyosi
In the trees the sound of bees
Neseentaka asiswelekanga.
And of the birds you cannot miss it

9. Yonwabile nayo imifula,
The streams are happy
Iyadloba ngokwamatakane,
Hopping and skipping like kids (baby goats)
Ihlokoma, idanduluka isithi,
Making a noise shouting/saying
“Ntlakohla, siyakubulisa!”
“Spring, we greet you!”

10. Ntlakohlaza, siyakubulisa!
Spring, we greet you!
Silandeli sobusik'obubi,
You are the follower (of a bad winter)
Mfudumezi emva kwamakhephu,
The warmer after the snow,
Mniki-bomi olandel'intshazo.
Giver of life that follows the whithering.

11. Important Vocabulary!
1. Theme:
2. Meaning:
3. Rhetorical Question:
4. Message:
5. Tone:
Umongo
Intsingiselo
Umbuzo-buciko
Imfundiso
Umoya

12.  Umongo: (theme) the main issue the poem is
dealing with.
 Intsingiselo: (meaning) what the figures of
speech and poetic language is trying to convey.
 Umbuzo-buciko: (rhetorical question) a question
that does not need an answer but is used to
emphasise a point.
 Imfundiso: (message) what they poet is trying to
tell the reader.
 Umoya: (tone) spirit or emotion behind the
poem.

13. Figures of speech:
1.Metaphor:
2. Simile:
3.Hyperbole:
4. Personification:
Isikweko
Isifaniso
Ubabbazo/ugqithiso
Isimntwiso

14.  Isikweko: direct comparison of two things
 Isifaniso: comparing two things using as or like.
 Ubabazo/ugqithiso: gross over exageration
 Isimntwiso: giving an object human qualities.

15. Intlakohlaza (Spring)
by JJR Jolobe
Umongo: Praise of spring
Imfundiso: Spring is something we should
welcome and praise as it revives the
earth after winter.
Umoya: Praise, positive, joyful,
celebratory.