Summary

A Xhosa prince reluctantly leaves the University College of Fort Hate and goes back to the land of his ancestors to take his place as king of the Mpondomise. The clash of his modem ideas and the traditional beliefs of his people mirrors the dash of the western way of life with African custom and tradition -- church-people versus traditionalists, school people versus 'red-ochre people', boarding school activities versus the inkundla or assembly at the royal place. The conclusion, that disaster can be averted only by the willingness of opposing forces to work together for mutual comprehension of the legitimate claims of tradition and modernity, gives a foretaste of the spirit that governed modern South Africa's political transformation. Ingqumbo Yeminyanya -- The Wrath of the Ancestors -- is a classic of Xhosa literature. A C Jordan has a keen eye for detail, a delightful sense of humour and a dramatic style. Literal translations of Xhosa images, idioms and proverbs transport readers to the Tsolo district and conjure up the memorable speeches of the Mpondomise counsellors.