The Broken River Tent
About This Book
Condition & Size
The Broken River Tent
Mphuthumi Ntabeni
Large Paperback
A spiritual journey through history and life
Following in the footsteps of Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda, Mphuthumi Ntabeni's writing in The Broken River Tent brings to life what James Baldwin said when he wrote that the responsibility of the writer is to excavate the experience of the people who produced him.
'I am gathering the wind from the four corners of the earth. Before my body became the property of maggots, I had no wisdom in me. But when I joined the ancestors, wisdom became my companion. I have come to you as a friend, and a guide for your thoughts My duty is to teach you the message I denied with my own life on earth. I have been a man of misfortunes. Yet my heart is not bitter. And that, I carry to Qamata as my prize.'
The story is told through the eyes of a young Xhosa man, Phila, who, after der immense mental and emotional pressure in the pursuit of his history and the history of his people, enters a sacred space of intense spiritual recognition between the living and the dead. He is visited by the spirit of ancestor Maqoma, who, while he lived, was the Xhosa chief at the forefront of fighting British colonialism in the Eastern Cape. Phila and Maqoma engage in spiritual conversations about culture, history, literature, religion, the past and contemporary South African life.
Phila goes through what he describes as the triple 'N' condition neurasthenia, narcolepsy and cultural ne plus ultra. This makes him feel far removed from events happening around him but gives him access to the analeptic memory of his people.
About Readmatter Online Used Bookshop
Born from a dream during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, ReadMatter has blossomed into one of South Africa s premier online used bookstores. Operating from three strategic depots in Gauteng, we diligenliver hundreds of books weekly, illuminating minds and enriching souls and bringing the joy of reading to every corner of the nation. Our shelves boast roughly 10,000 books and 4,000 authors at any moment, with an additional 100,000 unlisted treasures available upon request. Can't find what you're looking for? Allow us the privilege to unearth it for you! At ReadMatter, a portion of every sale is lovingly donated to cherished causessupporting the aged, the vulnerable, and animal conservation. Join us in turning pages and transforming lives, one story at a time.
Buy With Confidence
As a verified Bobshop seller, we offer a trustworthy shopping experience, maintaining an impeccable 100% positive rating from our buyers. With three strategically located depots across the greater Gauteng area, all orders are promptly dispatched from our Johannesburg North branch. Shop with confidence at Readmatter!
Pictures & Illustrations
Although we have photographed the majority of our products, some still feature stock images for illustration purposes only. Please note that the cover design of the actual product may differ from what is shown.
Condition & Availability
All our books are secondhand unless stated otherwise. Since we operate a network of physical stores in addition to our online presence, and update our Bobshop inventory only at the close of each business day, there may be occasions where items listed as available online have already been sold in-store. In such instances, we will provide a full refund promptly.
Readmatter is the proud sponsor of Penguins "Blikkies" and "Bos" at the East London Aquarium.
