Musician Lu Dlamini has translated Kahlil Gibran’s classic book, The Prophet, into isiZulu, making it available to a new audience in South Africa. The book, titled UMPHROFETHI, was launched at Ike’s Books in Durban and is published through the University of Johannesburg.
Dlamini’s journey to translate The Prophet began during the Covid lockdown, when she picked up her pencil and started working on the project as a way to cope with the uncertainty. She had first encountered the book in 2012, when she started a youth outreach programme, Art Knows No Boundaries, where she visits schools and libraries to motivate young people through music and wisdom from the book.
The Prophet’s Timeless Message
The Prophet, written by Kahlil Gibran in 1923, has been translated into over 100 languages and has become a classic of world literature. According to Wikipedia, the book has been widely acclaimed for its poetic and philosophical insights into the human condition. Dlamini’s translation into isiZulu makes the book accessible to a new audience in South Africa and provides a unique perspective on the timeless message of The Prophet.
Dlamini’s translation process was a laborious one, with her writing the book twice by hand in pencil, producing two handwritten isiZulu versions of The Prophet. She didn’t start with the intention of publishing a book, but rather as a personal project to keep her grounded during a difficult time.
A Healing Potion
For Dlamini, translating The Prophet was a therapeutic process that helped her cope with the challenges of the lockdown. She describes the book as a “healing potion” that provided comfort and solace during a difficult time. The book’s message of hope and resilience resonated deeply with her, and she hopes that it will have a similar impact on her readers.
Next, Dlamini plans to compose a unique piece of music for each chapter in the book, using traditional instruments to create a soundscape that complements the themes and messages of The Prophet. This project will allow her to express her creativity in a new and innovative way, while also deepening her connection to the book and its message.
Some of the key themes and messages in The Prophet include:
- Love and relationships
- Freedom and independence
- Personal growth and self-discovery
- Spirituality and faith
These themes are timeless and universal, and Dlamini hopes that her translation and musical interpretation will help to make them more accessible and relatable to a new audience in South Africa.</p)
