The “Rhetoric of Animality”, Animal Imagery, and Dr. Kamuzu Banda’s Dictatorship in the Poetry of Jack Mapanje

Abstract

In his poetry the Malawian poet, Jack Mapanje, uses animal imagery to respond to socio-political events in his country, especially during the dictatorial reign of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawi’s first president, who ruled that country from independence in 1964 to 1994. Using animal imagery he stereotypes, objectifies and inferiorises through ridicule and mockery those in power thereby sanctioning their overthrow and replacement. Through the use of animal imagery he also deconstructs the view of Dr. Banda as a benevolent leader or Messiah and depicts him as a greedy and bloodthirsty old man who only cared about no one else but himself.