Thematic characterisation of Ndebele <i>izichothozo</i>

Abstract

Izichothozo are insults used in gaming that can be identified as part of the ‘prohibited’ Ndebele folklore. This verbal art form is a form of folk humour popular with Ndebele youth. However, adults also play the game. The game is considered obscene by many people, at least in public, but most people may be playing it, especially using non-obscene themes. This paper is a thematic categorisation of izichothozo. It identifies the themes that are pursued in the folk humour. Images that are used in izichothozo are derived from a range of themes that help derive the humour. Social realities are subjected to humorous transformations, and these social and cultural realities are used as themes to derive izichothozo.