Nhango and Ndyaringo: Two Complementary Poetic Genres

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Periodical article

Title:	Nhango and Ndyaringo: Two Complementary Poetic Genres
Author:	Fortune, G.
Year:	1974
Periodical:	Zambezia
Volume:	3
Issue:	2
Period:	December
Pages:	27-49
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zimbabwe
Subjects:	poetry Shona Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Literature, Mass Media and the Press
External link:	https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/AJA03790622_255
Abstract:	Shona traditional poetry contains a number of different genres suitable to particular social occasions and social relationships which, between them, cover many of the rhetorical requirements of social life. One complementary pair of genres is formed by nhango and ndyaringo, respectively the didactic and narrative poetry of traditional Shona literature. These forms contrast not only in their social function but also in their style and subject matter. The social context of both is the dare, the village council or gathering-place, but the tone and intention of these contraative forms, as well as the relationship of the speaker, nyanduri, to his audience, are quite different. Some of the characteristics of these two forms are studied and exemplified in this paper. Ref.