Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom

by

Nelson Mandela

The Xhosa are a large ethnic group in South Africa that Mandela belongs to. “Xhosa” can also refer to the language they speak.

Xhosa Quotes in Long Walk to Freedom

The Long Walk to Freedom quotes below are all either spoken by Xhosa or refer to Xhosa. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla. In Xhosa, Rolihlahla literally means “pulling the branch of a tree,” but its colloquial meaning more accurately would be “troublemaker.” I do not believe that names are destiny or that my father somehow divined my future, but in later years, friends and relatives would ascribe to my birth name the many storms I have both caused and weathered. My more familiar English or Christian name was not given to me until my first day of school.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa (Mandela’s Father)
Page Number: 3
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

My time at Clarkebury broadened my horizons, yet I would not say that I was an entirely open-minded, unprejudiced young man when I left. I had met students from all over the Transkei, as well as a few from Johannesburg and Basutoland, as Lesotho was then known, some of whom were sophisticated and cosmopolitan in ways that made me feel provincial. Though I emulated them, I never thought it possible for a boy from the countryside to rival them in their worldliness. Yet I did not envy them. Even as I left Clarkebury, I was still, at heart, a Thembu, and I was proud to think and act like one.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Jongintaba, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa (Mandela’s Father)
Page Number: 36
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 51 Quotes

I entered the court that Monday morning wearing a traditional Xhosa leopard-skin kaross instead of a suit and tie. The crowd of supporters rose as one and with raised, clenched fists shouted “Amandla!” and “Ngawethu!” The kaross electrified the spectators, many of whom were friends and family, some of whom had come all the way from the Transkei. Winnie also wore a traditional beaded headdress and an ankle-length Xhosa skirt.

I had chosen traditional dress to emphasize the symbolism that I was a black African walking into a white man’s court. I was literally carrying on my back the history, culture, and heritage of my people.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Nomzamo Winifred “Winnie” Madikizela
Page Number: 324
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 69 Quotes

The High Organ was the source of some controversy because of its ethnic composition: all four permanent members were from Xhosa backgrounds. This was a matter of coincidence rather than design; the senior ANC leadership on the island, the only four to have served on the National Executive Committee, happened to be Xhosa. It would not have been proper to take a less senior comrade and put him on the High Organ simply because he was not a Xhosa. But the fact that the High Organ was Xhosa-dominated disturbed me because it seemed to reinforce the mistaken perception that we were a Xhosa organization.

Related Characters: Nelson Mandela (speaker), Walter Sisulu
Related Symbols: Robben Island
Page Number: 442
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Long Walk to Freedom LitChart as a printable PDF.
Long Walk to Freedom PDF

Xhosa Term Timeline in Long Walk to Freedom

The timeline below shows where the term Xhosa appears in Long Walk to Freedom. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
Racism and Division Theme Icon
The Value of Optimism Theme Icon
Mandela’s father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, gives him the name Rolihlahla, which in Xhosa means something like “troublemaker.” He doesn’t get the name Nelson until his first day of... (full context)
Chapter 2
Racism and Division Theme Icon
As is typical for a Xhosa child, Mandela learns primarily through observation. He doesn’t ask questions and is shocked at all... (full context)
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
The Xhosa are rivals with the amaMfengu, and a few of them live near Qunu. The amaMfengu... (full context)
Chapter 3
Racism and Division Theme Icon
...the most experienced elders, tells fiery stories about how White men have tried to turn Xhosa against each other. (full context)
Chapter 4
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
Jongintaba decides when Mandela is 16 that he must be circumcised, which is a Xhosa tradition. The circumcision is an elaborate ceremony, and one custom is that a boy must... (full context)
Chapter 6
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
In Mandela’s final year at Healdtown, the famous Xhosa poet Krune Mqhayi comes to campus. Mandela is initially disappointed at how normal he looks.... (full context)
Chapter 37
The Value of Optimism Theme Icon
...they name Zindziswa (“Zindzi”), which is the same name as the daughter of a famous Xhosa poet. (full context)
Chapter 51
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
Nonviolent Protest vs. Violent Protest Theme Icon
...October 15, 1962. People gather around the slogan “Free Mandela.” Mandela shows up in traditional Xhosa clothing rather than a suit. The state calls up many witnesses. Mandela tells the judge... (full context)
Chapter 64
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
...but the political prisoners respond with their own songs. Eventually a guard who understands the Xhosa language forces them to stop. Mandela remains convinced that he can convert the common-law prisoners... (full context)
Chapter 69
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
...includes Mandela, Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, and Raymond Mhlaba. It’s controversial because all four members are Xhosa, but Mandela feels this was just coincidence and that the leaders remain impartial. Still, they... (full context)
Chapter 115
Racism and Division Theme Icon
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon
The Value of Optimism Theme Icon
...both national anthems, one of which is in Afrikaans and one of which is in Xhosa. Mandela feels it’s a historic moment, as he reflects how much things have changed in... (full context)