In MTN Joyous Celebration 19 I have been afforded a lifetime opportunity by Mr. Lindelani Mkhize to give a rendition and my own interpretation to an ancient Xhosa Traditional Song: Ulo Thixo Omkhulu written by Ntsikana, the first Xhosa Prophet (1780-1821) Yesterday my brother and friend Ongama Mtimka was led to write the following: In the last 10 months I have had moments of pondering on the history yamaXhosa of the Eastern Cape dating as far back as the tail end of the 1700s. It is clear Ntsikana (17:80-1821) had a visitation similar to that of Paul of Tarsus. His experience at the Kraal (where a light struck between the horns of his beloved cow Hulushe) and the gale force winds and lightening that kept starting and stopping each time he started and stopped dancing at a wedding are similar to Pauls Damascus experience. Ntsikana went on to plant churches independently of any missionary influence apparently. He apparently had influence on Old Soga, the father of Tiyo, with whom he served as an advisor to Chief Ngqika. - Lihambile elolizwi, Lisahamba nanamhla! Verse (added & written by me) Sabelani niyabizwa nibizelwenNkosini x2 (Answer ye all, youre being called by the Lord) Zizwe zonke zeAfrika nibizelweNkosini (All ye nations of Afrika, youre being called by the Lord) Yingxubakaxaka yantoni na le Sixakene nayo (What is this tumultuous problem were faced with) Chorus: Ulo Thixo Omkhulu Owasezulwini x 2 (He, The Great God From Heaven) Isenguye nanamhla ikhakha lenyaniso (He is still the same, a shield of truth) Isenguye nanamhla inqaba yenyaniso (He is still the same, a fortress of truth) African Chant : Ahomna Ahomna Ahomna Ulo zandla zakhe zahlatshweGolgotha (Whose hands where pierced in Golgotha) Ulophango lakhe lahlatshweGolgotha (Whose side was pierced in Golgotha) Ulohlanganisa mihlambeyalanayo (He will reconcile nations that were enemies) About two hundred years ago (the exact time is uncertain), Ntsikana, a young father of the ama RaRhabe clan of the western borderlands of the Xhosa kingdom started to experience visions, telling him to convert to Christianity. After one particularly powerful experience, he went down to the river, and washed off his red ochre body paint, as a sign of leaving the old ways and taking on the new. Ntsikana’s visions also told him to learn to read. This he did, and started to travel around the Eastern Cape preaching about Jesus Christ, and telling his followers that they too should learn to read. Carrying a wooden cross, he began preaching around the years 1806 – 1809. As he had no bell, he used his voice to call his followers to prayer. The song he chanted is known today as Ntsikana’s hymn. Chanting like an Islamic muezzin or azhan, Ntsikana used a traditional mode of African cultural expression, bearing a message of change and the call to embrace a new world.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 07:14:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015