WATCH: Part 1 - IsiXhosa Poem (@Fort Hare Event)

I received this video via WhatsApp from a friend. A quick internet search revealed that it's an excerpt from a PanSALB/University of Fort Hare event that took place probably late last year.

There is so much to take from this; there is the language, there is the culture, there is the poetry and all else. For me, quite frankly, it made me happy so I felt the need to share it and let the bard speak for himself. I also transcribed it for those who are so inclined and translated it so that others can also enjoy the access. This part (Part 1) has the isiXhosa version and the next part (Part 2) contains a version of the poem translated into English and some comments. Please enjoy and let us know your thoughts. We're also inviting corrections for any error we may have made. Watch, listen or read below.

Kaloku! Endalweni, asinikwanga ngakufana
Asingenanga ngasango linye
Singene ngeli, saphuma ngeliya!

Ewe!! man!
Inj’ eland’ umkhond’ iyantyontyelwa
Kanti ngakhwelo linye, ebanjw’ ibel’ imaz’ iyehlisa!

Vuma ntangazethu sikwaleke
Ngoba kakade, lent’ umbon’ umandi ngok’ chubelana
Vuma ke, nathi sikungqinele

Ayaphi n’ amaXhosa, athi kwakubekw’ amazw’ elandelelana, kunyuk’ into ngomqolo, iqabel’ emagxen’ iphuhl’ iphume ngomlomo?!
Ewe kaloku! Kunamhlanje nje siyathumisela
Sininik’ ilithe bantwana bethu
Mamelan’ ukubekwa kolwimi lakokwethu
Nive ngeendlebe, kunyakaz’ igazi, kushwaban’ indawo zok’thunda!
Ngoba kaloku, umntu ngendalo waanikwa,
Wanikwa ukuz’ anik’ abanye

Kunamhlanje nje kwedini ndiyakhweleta!
Ngoba kaloku! Is’Xhosa sakokwethu kwedini, saasidla ngomthombothi, sasidl’ es’cakathini!
Sas’nikwa ngomnqayi, saphuma sasimelela ngomnquma
Ukuz’ indlel’ esiy’ hambileyo, ivulek’ umzil’ ozigingqi; ozigingq’ ezindonga
Ukuze kaloku! Kwakuz’ abalandela ngemva kwethu, babon’ apho sinyathele khona
Nyathelani ke ngeenyaw’ ezineentsimbi, ukuz’ apho ninyathele khon’ umxhond’ ungaduki!

Send’tshilo! Rhal’rhali!

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Read the English version in Part 2.