Chaka is a genuine masterpiece that represents one of the earliest major contributions from black Africa to the corpus of modern world literature. Mofolo's fictionalized life-story account of Chaka (Shaka), translated from Sesotho by D. P. Kunene, begins with the future Zulu king's birth followed by the unwarranted taunts and abuse he receives during childhood and adolescence. The author manipulates events leading to Chaka's status of great Zulu warrior, conqueror, and king to emphasize classic tragedy's psychological themes of ambition and power, cruelty, and ultimate ruin. Mofolo's clever nods to the supernatural add symbolic value. Kunene's fine translation renders the dramatic and tragic tensions in Mofolo's tale palpable while the richness of the author's own culture is revealed. A substantial introduction by the translator provides valuable context for the modern reader. Other titles by African writers from Waveland Press: Ba, So Long a Letter (ISBN 9781577668060) Beti, The Poor Christ of Bomba (ISBN 9781577664185) Emecheta, Kehinde (ISBN 9781577664192) Equiano, Equiano's Travels (ISBN 9781577664871) Head, The Collector of Treasures and Other Botswana Village Tales (ISBN 9781478607601) Head, Maru (ISBN 9781478607618) Head, When Rain Clouds Gather (ISBN 9781478607595) La Guma, In the Fog of the Seasons' End (ISBN 9781478600251) Marechera, The House of Hunger (ISBN 9781478604730) Ngugi-Mugo, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (ISBN 9781478611318) Nwapa, Efuru (ISBN 9781478611011) Oyono, Houseboy (ISBN 9781577669883) Oyono, The Old Man and the Medal (ISBN 9781478609582) p'Bitek, Song of Lawino & Song of Ocol (ISBN 9781478604723) Plaatje, Mhudi (ISBN 9781478609575) Rifaat, Distant Views of a Minaret and Other Short Stories (ISBN 9781478611288) - from Amzon