History of South African Poetry

Poetry in South Africa is divided into two different forms, namely written and praise poetry. Poetry in South Africa comes in many different languages and cultures. Praise poetry is meant to be perfomed, not read. It forms part of oral traditions passed down from generation to generation. Praise poetry was originally used to tell stories of a people.

Praise poetry has seen so many changes as now many African poets write their poetry down, traditional praise poetry was purely oral. There are many praise poets in South Africa who perfom at ceremonies, weddings, funerals, inagruations, graduations, special ceremonies and other kinds of festivities.Many South Africans still practice this generations old form of literature. Grandfathers taught these praise poetry to their grandsons and who in turn taught it to theirs. But now you can go to a university and do studies on praise poetry and be a proffesional praise poet.

Poetry as we knew it changed into a revolutionary South African feel and many nations I personaly think, should copy this nations old practice. If praise potry becomes an another international form of art in our world, people will get to see and feel the joy we feel when this South African age-old form of literature is practised in their countries.

When poetry is recited, emotions go high and many people heve different feelings when they listen to what poetry has to offer.

Our ancestors gave us legacies to live by, including arts and we as the people of the world should protect them to give this gift of art to give to our grand-nations.

Divisions of Art.