“Chimurenga means uprising, or struggle, and the word (and associated form of music) was closely linked to Robert Mugabe’s efforts [and the attempts of black Zimbabweans] in the ’60s and ‘70s to wrest Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) from colonial control.” Mugabe and his junta also referred to his more recent violence against his own people as the “Third Chimurenga.” And the more recent usage is how most people hear about the word. So is the idea of Chimurenga tainted? That’s what Rachel Donatio from the New York Times Paper Cuts Blog (written by the paper ’s Book Editors) wanted to know from Chimurenga Magazine editor Ntone Edjabe. Basically, shouldn’t the magazine change its name? See Ntone’s response here.
[BTW, I am not sure about the link to Nicolas Kristoff's ideas in the piece].
Filed under: Books , Chimurenga, literary culture, New York Times, Ntone Edjabe, Paper Cuts Blog, Presence Africaine, Rachel Donatio, Transition magazine
Hoe lyk it, DollaBrand?
Nice hierso.