Imbongi in Profile

Today, many elements of the tradition have been discarded or adapted; nevertheless, the concept of singing praises still retains an identifiable character which is based on past tradition. In this tradition, the imbongi' s relationship with his audience and the function of his izibongo (poetry) within his society are of utmost importance. Any analysis of this communitarian art form will therefore have to take into account the context of the performance, the nature of the audience, and the role of the imbongi in a society which continues to be subject to socio-cultural and political pressures of unused intensity. My intention in this article is to provide a case study of Bongani Sitole, a contemporary imbongi, in order to instance some of the ways in which the tradition has adapted. During the course of the discussion mention will also be made of other iimbongi