A Guide for the Reader
Earth’s story encompasses events in Germany, England, America, and South Africa between 1740 and 1838 and their reverberation in the lives of Marie, Lanier, and Clayton in the US and South Africa in 1999. The search for historical and ecological connections takes a reader into often unknown territory, so here are some suggestions for pronunciation of names and terms and something about their meaning. Many of these names and terms have received several different spellings in the course of their literary life.
For historical background consult the titles mentioned in the Discussion Group Guide.
Ani-Yunwi-ya – Cherokee for “principal people,” or “primary (original) people.”
Apartheid – (pron. Apar-tayt). System of racial-ethnic segregation in South Africa instated between 1948 and 1994.
Dingane (Dingaan) – Shaka’s brother and assassin. Ruler of Zulus until 1838.
Duyukta – Cherokee word for “path of harmony,” or “way of right relationship.”
Kaffir – Originally from the Arabic for “infidel,” but became a deeply derogatory term used by Europeans about South Africa’s native peoples. The American equivalent is nigger. Both are excluded today from civil discourse.
Mthetwa – (pron. Mmtay-twa) Ethnic group (ama-Mthetwa) from the region presently lying between South Africa and Mozambique. They were absorbed into the Zulu nation under Shaka.
Mzili – (pron. Mm-zeelee). Thembinkosi’s lover.
Nanye-hi – (pron. Nan-ye-hee). “Nancy” in Cherokee. Valentine Trask’s second wife.
Ndwandwe – [pron “N-dwan-dway) The amaNdwandwe are Thembinkosi’s people. Often in conflict with the Mthetwa, they are drawn into Shaka’s empire.
Nokuthula – (pron. Noku-too-lah). “Mother of peace,” Thembinkosi’s friend at the slave lodge in Cape Town.
Nomkhulbulwana – (pron. Nohm-kool-bool-wana). “Great Princess of the Heavens” associated with fields and harvest, especially the production of corn and with it, of beer. Thembinkosi draws on her powers through her prayers.
Nunnehi – (pron. Noo-ne-hee). The little spirit people of the forest in Cherokee myth and legend.
Shaka (Tschaka) – Consolidator and military ruler of the Zulu peoples 1816-1828.
Thembinkosi – (pron. Tembee-en-koh-si) “trust in the Lord/God.” Woman’s name of Zulu and Xhosa origin.
Tsalagi – Western pronounciation of Cherokee. The “l” and “r” sounds tend to converge in traditional usage.
Umhlabati – (pron. Mm-shla-bah-tee). The Earth, in Zulu tradition. Thembinkosi speaks often with Umhlabati.
Unkulunkulu – (pron. Nn-koo-loo-koo-loo). The Great Great One. God above all gods, in Zulu culture.
About William J. Everett
In my teaching career I authored eight books and numerous articles in social ethics and religion. After over thirty years of academic work — in Germany, India, and South Africa as well as in the United States — I wanted to turn my hand to a poetically written novel to probe the issues of ecological and human reconciliation.
When I am not writing, I create furniture for worship settings. For more about my work, go to www.WisdomsTable.net, where you will also find galleries of artwork by my wife Sylvia, whose ancestors were the original inspiration for Red Clay, Blood River. Click to read my complete bio...
About Red Clay Blood River
Red Clay, Blood River
is a story told by Earth about two brothers from Germany and an enslaved
South African woman whose lives bind together America’s “Trail of
Tears” and South Africa’s simultaneous “Great Trek” of 1838.
Memories of their journeys through oppression, estrangement and reconciliation
reverberate in the lives of three contemporary students brought together
by their interests in ecology. Through their often difficult friendship
and a surprising discovery they begin to unravel the mystery of their
estrangements, struggles, and deep connections to each other and to
the earth.
Click to read more...