iNtsika: A Support Structure..................... Chidimma Maphaha

Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi iNtsika Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi A Support Structure Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi CHIDIMMA MAPHAHA Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika 2020 Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika Ntsikayomzi Ntsika

A pillar is known commonly as a vertical structure offering support to a building. In the IsiZulu and IsiXhosa languages, a word that closely describes a pillar is ntsika. This essay explores the meanings of this word in English and its corresponding term in vernacular languages, and argues that although a pillar and ntsika are slightly different, in that ntsika is specific to a hut, the connotation of the words in each of these languages is essentially the same.

A pillar may refer to “a tall vertical structure of stone, wood or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument” (Oxford Dictionary 2020), but also to a thick vertical structure that offers support to a building (Gerwing, 2018). Here, emphasis is on the thickness of the structure rather than its height. Evidently, its bearing role is what defines the function of a pillar; metaphorically a pillar is a symbol of strength and support. For example, people might refer to those who offer great assistance as ‘pillars of strength’. Similarly, the function of a pillar is to ensure structural integrity and to prevent the collapse of a building. In many other areas of life, the word pillar is used to outline certain factors which are essential to upholding the key principles of an organisation or institution. Originating from two Nguni languages, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa, ntsika refers to the strongest single pillar in an African hut, holding it upright and preventing it from collapse. It makes up part of the support structure of the building.

To the indigenous people of the Xhosa and Zulu tribes, ntsika extends far beyond a pillar in a hut. It is a symbol of strength and stability, and at times a symbol of solidarity. Admiration of ntsika stems from its physical ability and properties to hold up a structure on its own. It is this that allowed meaning to be drawn. It became a name commonly given to a boychild: Ntsika. It stems from the belief that men need to be the pillars of strength in their households and their communities. Although the name Ntsika may not be given to a child at birth, it can be used later to refer to the most productive child in a home. If a child is not named this at birth, it does not undermine his ability to support his family. For example, it may be used to describe a child whose parents have gone away, and that child takes the mantle of a parent to siblings. In this case, the child may be called, Ntsikayomzi. This translates to ‘pillar of the home.’

Evidently, the meanings, interpretations and uses of ntsika and pillar seem to parallel each other, with only small differences of interpretation.

Figure 8: Pillar

Ntsika

Figure 9: Ntsika

the strongest single pillar in an African hut; a symbol of strength and stability, and at times a symbol of solidarity

Both meanings are reliant on the factor of strength and support to serve their purpose, and both words can be used to describe people. However, difference exists in that a pillar can be used for a variety of buildings and can exist in groups in a single building, but ntsika is the sole pillar in an African hut. But these words hold an essential meaning, both literally and figuratively, ‘to support’. References:

Gerwing, M., 2018. Architects. Architect’s Glossary – Post, Pillar, Column, Pier and Pilaster. Available online at: https://mgerwingarch.com/mgerwing/2018/12/16/architectsglossary-post-column [Accessed 17 August 2020]

Koshland, D., 2002. The Seven Pillars of Life. Science, 295(5563), 2215-2216.

Oxford University Press, 2020. Pillar. Lexico.com, available online at: https://www.lexico.com/ definition/pillar [Accessed 17 August 2020]

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