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Tumbuka literature is the body of written and oral works composed in the Tumbuka language, a Bantu language spoken primarily in Malawi, Zambia and parts of Tanzania. It covers traditional oral narratives, poetry, proverbs, folktales, as well as modern works of fiction, drama, and scholarship.[1]
Historical background
The Tumbuka people have a tradition of oral literature, including storytelling (nthano), riddles, songs, praise poetry, and proverbial expressions. Oral narratives served social, moral, and educational functions, transmitting cultural norms across generations.[1]
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missionaries, particularly from the Church of Scotland, began documenting the Tumbuka language in written form. They translated the Bible, published catechisms, and promoted literacy.
Oral literature
Oral genres remain central to Tumbuka cultural life. Common forms include:
- Nthano (folktales), often featuring animal characters and moral lessons.
- Nyimbo (songs), performed during rituals, work, or entertainment.
- Zithokozo (praise poems), used to honor chiefs and ancestors.
- Miyambi (proverbs), which encode communal wisdom and are widely cited in everyday speech.[2]
Written literature
The emergence of written Tumbuka literature coincided with missionary education. Early publications included translations of religious texts and school primers. After years, secular writing developed, including short stories, poetry, and plays.[3]
Notable contributors include:
- Yesaya Zerenji Mwasi (1892–1982), among the first Tumbuka authors to publish poetry and prose.
- Edward Bwanali, known for plays and short fiction in Tumbuka.
- Contemporary writers who produce bilingual works in Tumbuka and English, often addressing themes of identity, politics, and cultural continuity.[1]
Scholarship and preservation
Scholarly interest in Tumbuka literature has grown since the mid-20th century. Researchers have documented oral traditions, compiled dictionaries, and analyzed proverbs and folktales. Institutions such as Mzuzu University in Malawi and the University of Zambia have supported projects on Tumbuka cultural heritage.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Reporter, Nyasa Times (3 April 2023). "Scripture Union develops Tumbuka devotional booklet - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "A Bible in Chichewa or Tumbuka – Zambesi Mission". Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Reporter, Malawi24 (24 March 2019). "Prominent Malawian historian D.D Phiri dies Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Malenga, Bright (11 August 2017). "Writers urged to focus on local languages Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
