Agitations for Self-Identification and (Re)presentation in Selected Tshivenda Poetry

Tshivenda poetry thematises varied notions of selfhood and culture, among others. Within this thematisation, longings for the freedom to self-identify (re)present self or selves show up as recurrent themes. For analytical convenience, 10 poems were purposively selected analysed in article. The analysis is based on a predetermined set themes, namely, quest identity authenticity, being belonging, intersections identity, memory, home renaissance. paper deployed qualitative research approach was theoretically undergirded by Afrocentricity. reveals that demystifies metanarratives propounded colonialists apartheid exponents negate African people’s culture. further indigenes have always had ways express their ideological outlook, including agentively challenging false hegemonic discourses about them. This adds ongoing discourse politics belonging focused how formerly colonised asserted still assert presence agency during after decades marginalisation repression. It recommended aspects culture captured literature should form part indigenous knowledge systems need be studied institutions basic higher education.