FIRST EDITION, published by Blue Crane Books, 1964, hardcover, large format, illustrated, 542 pages, condition: basically as new.
An internationally acclaimed masterpiece of African literature, mythology, and folklore written by the celebrated Zulu sangoma (traditional healer) and visionary, Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa. This epic serves as a definitive compendium that breaks traditional oaths of secrecy to preserve the rich, oral history, sacred creation myths, and cultural legends of the Bantu-speaking peoples.
The word "Indaba" is a Zulu term meaning a conference, tribal gathering, or important matter for discussion. The book frames itself as an elder sharing critical communal knowledge with the younger generation.
Credo Mutwa chose to document these highly protected tribal oral histories following the tragic death of his fiancée in the 1960 Sharpeville massacre. He vowed to make the Western world understand the profound human depths and beliefs of black Africans to prevent future bloodshed.
The book bridges the spiritual and physical worlds, detailing planetary evolution, ancestral intervention, complex tribal laws, and ancient historical interactions up to the dawn of Western colonization
The book functions as multiple narratives wrapped into one, flowing through expansive chronological eras:
The Creation Myth: It begins with the birth of creation and the supreme deities, centering on Ninavanhu-Ma (The Great Mother and Goddess of Creation) and uNkulunkulu (The Great Spirit).
The First and Second People: Stories trace the rise of the legendary "First People" under the wicked emperor Za-Ha-Rrellel, leading to the birth of the Bantu people from survivors Amarava and Odu.
The Tribal Epics: Mutwa records sprawling accounts of supreme kings, warriors, lovers, witch doctors, and mythical beings like talking Kaa-U-La birds or tokoloshes.
The Clash of Civilizations: The epic finishes by chronicling the deep psychological and cultural impact when European explorers, such as the Portuguese, first arrived on African shores.
Legacy and Cultural Impact. Initially viewed with friction by some traditionalists for exposing tribal secrets. Through reprints, 'Indaba, My Children' has sold hundreds of thousands of copies globally. Literary critics like The Guardian have likened the book's sweeping, vibrant prose to the incantations of a visionary.
Today, it is recognized as a vital gateway into indigenous knowledge systems, African philosophy, and world-building.
