Difference between revisions of "Dintshontsho tsa Lorato"

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The play,  dealing primarily with issues of love, also looks at problems caused by a generation gap and the character Sakoma's belief in witchcraft.  
 
The play,  dealing primarily with issues of love, also looks at problems caused by a generation gap and the character Sakoma's belief in witchcraft.  
  
First published in Johannesburg by Bona Press (A.P.B. Publishers, African literature collection, no. 250.) in 1950? and by [[Educum]] in 1957.
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First published in Johannesburg by Bona Press (A.P.B. Publishers, African literature collection, no. 250.) in 1957 and thereafter published in many editions by [[Educum]].
  
 
==Translations and adaptations==
 
==Translations and adaptations==
  
Translated into [[Southern Sotho]] as ''[[Lefu hase letho tseleng ya lerato]]'' ("Where there is love, there is a way") by [[M.E. Mosese-Raditladi]], and published by [[Educum]] in 1970.
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Translated into [[Southern Sotho]] as ''[[Lefu hase letho tseleng ya lerato]]'' ("Where there is love, there is a way"). The translation is often credited to Raditladi himself, but is also cited as a work by "[[M.E. Mosese-Raditladi]]" (so perhaps a translation or edited translation by his wife or daughter?). This text was published by [[Educum]] in 1970.
  
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
  
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No trace of a production has been found so far, but the play text has been a school setwork for many years and has been republished numerous times.
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
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https://www.worldcat.org/title/dintshontsho-tsa-lorato/oclc/85942201?loc=94043&tab=holdings&start_holding=31
 
https://www.worldcat.org/title/dintshontsho-tsa-lorato/oclc/85942201?loc=94043&tab=holdings&start_holding=31
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Pilane, G.E. 1997. ''Naming: an aspect of character portrayal in ''[[Dintshontsho tsa Lorato]]'' by Raditladi''. Mini-thesis, [[Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education]].
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
 
 
 
''[[Dintshontsho tsa Lorato]]'' (Setswana) by [[L.D. Raditladi]]. Translation of title ''Deaths caused by love''. Published by [[Educum]] in 1957 (1967?). Verse drama. A tragedy. It begins by looking at love across tribal lines, but then shifts into a love triangle.
 
 
ISBN 9780798007061.
 
 
== Abstract of a mini-dissertation by G.E. Pilane ==
 
Pilane, G.E. 1997. Naming: an aspect of character portrayal in ''[[Dintshontsho tsa Lorato]]'' by Raditladi. Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.
 
 
The basic aim of this mini-dissertation was to investigate naming as an aspect of character portrayal in Dintshontsho tsa lorato against the background of Batswana cultural life. The meaning of the names in the play were explored and related to characterization and to the action and theme of the play. The analysis revealed that characters act in accordance with the meaning of their names, but also sometimes flout the expectations raised by their names. The names become associated with the different kinds of love that form the central conflict of the play. Only Kalafi's name (which means healer) in fact indicates the caring healing love he personifies. The actantial patterns in the play clearly show up the conflict between different kinds of young love and love for tribal custom. Traditional Setswana names are used in the play, thereby continuing the Batswana tradition. A central aspect of the plot is the conflict between the tribe and foreigners. This can probably be related to Raditiadi's own experiences as an exile. Biblical names are not used, but some characters, like Kalafi who plays the role of a Good Samaritan, seems to be based on Biblical models. There are strong similarities between Dintshontsho tsa lorato and Romeo and Juliet, but this influence did not extend to the names directly. In general it was concluded that naming plays an important part in Dintshontsho tsa lorato and can be used to unlock the meaning of the play. The names get their significance not from social or cultural forces, however, but rather from the structural patterns that are set up in the play and from the very literary theme of love. The play embodies the theme indicated by its title ''Deaths caused by love''.
 
 
== Sources ==
 
SACat: A union catalogue of items held by Southern African libraries.
 
 
== Return to ==
 
Return to [[ESAT Plays 1 D|D]]
 
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Plays]]
 
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 

Latest revision as of 12:41, 13 November 2020

Dintshontsho tsa Lorato ("Deaths caused by love") is a verse tragedy in Setswana by L.D. Raditladi (1910-1971)[1].


Also found as Dintšhontšho tsa loratô.

The original text

The play, dealing primarily with issues of love, also looks at problems caused by a generation gap and the character Sakoma's belief in witchcraft.

First published in Johannesburg by Bona Press (A.P.B. Publishers, African literature collection, no. 250.) in 1957 and thereafter published in many editions by Educum.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Southern Sotho as Lefu hase letho tseleng ya lerato ("Where there is love, there is a way"). The translation is often credited to Raditladi himself, but is also cited as a work by "M.E. Mosese-Raditladi" (so perhaps a translation or edited translation by his wife or daughter?). This text was published by Educum in 1970.

Performance history in South Africa

No trace of a production has been found so far, but the play text has been a school setwork for many years and has been republished numerous times.

Sources

SACat: A union catalogue of items held by Southern African libraries. Raditladi, L. D.

https://www.worldcat.org/title/dintshontsho-tsa-lorato/oclc/85942201?loc=94043&tab=holdings&start_holding=31

Pilane, G.E. 1997. Naming: an aspect of character portrayal in Dintshontsho tsa Lorato by Raditladi. Mini-thesis, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.


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