Tradition and reconstruction: the culture play in Zulu

Abstract

The paper has two objectives: to present a complete analysis of the culture play in Zulu so as to show thematically, formally, and in milieu, how the Zulu dramatist deals with social processes and traditions, and secondly, to deliberate whether the culture play can effectively challenge potentially harmful cultural practices. Theme-wise the culture play's main agenda is to evaluate an aspect of culture. The analysis revealed that about 58% of the 38 culture plays published so far have to do with various aspects of love and marriage, followed by witchcraft and isangoma practice and then diverse topics. As regards character, the Zulu dramatist doesn't field impressive cultural heroes since the culture play brings its message across by making use of mostly the wrong-doer. Only two plays utilise a-chronological plots and most of the plays utilise a traditional/rural space which is rarely presented as the most beneficial space. The very fact that the culture play evaluates rather than celebrates cultural issues and the fact that plays can be read at school, places it in a good position to deal with potential problems pertaining to love (and a related issue such as AIDS).