Abstract

Though Anthony Nazombe’s poetry has been published in various journals, nationally and internationally, it has received very little critical attention compared to that of other Malawian poets, such as Jack Mapanje, Frank Chipasula, Steve Chimombo and Felix Mnthali, who were writing during the same troubled socio-political environment as he. This thesis is a critical discussion of the poetry of this little known but equally important Malawian poet. The thesis argues that, unlike that of other Malawian poets, Nazombe’s poetry is highly contemplative and probingly philosophical. Most, if not all of Nazombe’s poems deal with feelings of hopelessness and despair. The poetry shows a marked disillusionment not only with the leadership but also with humankind and life in general. As such it shows parallels with existential themes and exposes the futility and absurdity of life and humanity’s precarious situation on earth. Like the aforementioned Malawian poets, Nazombe is a social critic. He attacks oppression, exploitation and repression that were rampant during Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s tyrannical reign in Malawi (1964-1994). He also exposes the poverty that Banda’s cohorts tried to hide behind the lie that the country had developed tremendously during Banda’s reign, and the post-independence disillusionment and sense of betrayal felt by many Malawians. Furthermore, Nazombe looks at the impermanence of human life on earth and at the issue of love. With regard to style and technique, Nazombe, like Mapanje and Chimombo, uses myths, metaphors, symbolism and traditional aspects: beliefs, ritual, and national and tribal history. His choice of words and his syntax give his poetry a hopelessly sad tone, though in some poems the tone tends to be humorous and ironic. Echoes and influences from other poets and his readings are also a notable feature of Nazombe’s poetry. However, these echoes and influences do not diminish the value and importance of the poetry, given the fact that works of art echo one another and the appreciation of any one poet is the appreciation of his relation to other poets, dead or alive.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2005

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