Zakes (Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni) Mda was born in the Eastern Cape. As a child he lived in Soweto, then moved to Lesotho during his High School years. He now lives in Ohio, where he writes and paints. His works include novels, plays, poems and academic works, several of which have been translated into twenty different languages.
His latest novel, Wayfarer’s Hymns, is set in the complex, colourful world of Famo music (music that has come from Lesotho in Africa, which consists of singing, usually accompanied by an accordion, a drum, and sometimes a bass. It originated in the drinking places of migrant workers from Lesotho relaxing after working in the mines in the 1920s but is now a popular form of music for Sesotho speakers)
Quoted from an interview by Times Live in October 2021 with the author:
“Wayfarers’ Hymns travels from Lesotho’s Mountain Kingdom to the City of Gold through the history of famo. It follows our boy-child, a wandering musician and a weaver of songs. His own story is intertwined with the social history of the music: the time of the concertina and the accordion, the wars of the famo gangs, and the battle for control of illegal mines.”
The reader is introduced to a young Khuleke, who is a wandering musician. We get to know his prickly is his sister Moliehl and watch the dynamics with interest when professional mourner Toloki and his beloved Noria enter their circle. Our wandering musician’s life story is entwined with the social history of Famo music. The reader goes on a journey filled with emotions, undercurrents and difficulties.
I must be honest and note that I found the book quite difficult to read, given that my knowledge of the language and Famo culture is limited. However, this does not detract from the fact that the author’s depiction of the history and journey of the music and the characters is superb, and will be appreciated and enjoyed by many, especially Zakes Mda followers. - Christine E Hann
Other works by the same author: The Zulus of New York, Ways of Dying, The Heart of Redness amongst others.
Wayfarer’s Hymns is published by Penguin Random House UK – 2021. ISBN: 978-1-41521-082-6
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