Sefela sa Mokone Matabola: The composition of a taped performance

Abstract

Research on the Difela (chants of Basotho migrant workers) during the 1980s shows a global approach in that it describes the genre in terms of its overhead properties. Here it is argued that the time has come for the description of individual chants, which could add to our insight in the compositional skills of individual poets and which could lead to a taxonomy of types. Mokone Matabola's two-minute chant is viewed from a segmental (or textual) and suprasegmental (or melodic) level. The two levels are then compared in terms of their significance to the oral style, generic type, and the commitment of verbal art to the portrayal and digestion of the human predicament, both literary and social.

Navorsing oor die Difela (liedere van Basotho-trekarbeiders) gedurende die 1980's toon 'n globale benadering aangesien die genre ooreenkomstig sy oorhoofse kenmerke beskryf word. Hier word aangevoer dat die tyd aangebreek het vir die beskrywing van individuele liedere wat tot groter insig in die komposisievermoë van individuele digters, en tot 'n taksonomie van tipes aanleiding kan gee. Mokone Matabola se kort lied word op segmentele (of tekstuele) en suprasegmentele (of melodiese) vlak ondersoek. Die twee vlakke word dan in terme van hui betekenis vir die mondelinge styl, genresoort en die betrokkenheid van die woordkuns by die uitbeelding en verwerking van menslike beproewing—sowel literêr as sosiaal—vergelyk.