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Remembering Mgqumeni

Polyphonic Narratives of His Life, and Music

Remembering Mgqumeni cover

Remembering Mgqumeni Polyphonic Narratives of His Life, and Music

Quantity
Pre-order. Available 05 Feb 2026
$129.60 RRP $162.00 Website price saving $32.40 (20%)

Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available

Description

A detailed documentation and analysis of music and lyrics of iconic maskanda musician, Mgqumeni, this book offers carefully researched insights in to the contemporary Zulu belief system and associated challenges.

Mgqumeni continues to have influence in the maskanda domain as musicians imitate his style in the quest for success in the marketplace. His name is referenced and appropriated by others in the field as a way of enticing audience support, and interest from the recording industry. Commercial maskanda is made and distributed through a cut-throat monopoly.

The book draws out a deeper understanding of the life experiences and aspirations of ordinary Zulu people through the creative presentation of multifaceted perspectives and agendas attached to the telling of Mgqumeni's story. It includes analysis and translation of the sound structures and the lyrics of Mgqumeni's music, which are used as a source of insight into his life experiences. The book takes a postcolonial stance in that it resists exoticizing or demonizing Zuluness but takes refuge in a transparent recognition of the author's role as both a stranger, and a compatriot.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Conceptualizing Mgqumeni's reality
3. From Poverty to Celebrity
4. A Life in Song
5. Epilogue: Remembering: Inserting the past into the present.
Bibliography

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 05 Feb 2026
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 224
ISBN 9798765124772
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Kathryn Olsen

Kathryn Olsen is Associate Researcher at the Unive…

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