Chanting the Song of Sorrow: Threnody in Homer and Zakes Mda

Abstract

This article examines the role of threnody in ancient Greece and contemporary South Africa. The main focus is on its representation in literature, in this case a passage from Homer's Iliad and the novel Ways of Dying (1995) by Zakes Mda, which are read in their respective historical contexts. The aim is to compare the different functions which threnody fulfills in different societies in different times with special emphasis on societies in crisis and transition. A comparative study between the ancient Greek poet Homer and the contemporary South African writer Zakes Mda might seem at first sight quite an exotic idea. A closer look, however, reveals several striking similarities that invite one to read Mda not only in his South African context, but also in relation to an ancient classical tradition. In Homer's epic The Iliad mourning and funeral scenes play an important role in the narrative, providing insights into historical and social conditions in the 8 th century Be. Homer stands in the long tradition of oral poetry and is - to our knowledge - the first Western author who applies the medium of writing to oral poems. Zakes Mda similarly draws on a South African oral tradition for his fictional narrative dealing with a period of historical change and conflict. The protagonist in his novel Ways of Dying (1995), Toloki, uses traditional oral performance techniques which he adapts to the needs of the new society that is emerging in South Africa in the early 90s. This essay will explore how both authors employ the motif of threnody and mourning rites in order to shed light on the historical role of men and women within their respective societies and the changes these societies undergo.