[In the following, Bauerle offers a highly favorable review of The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain, briefly discussing the ways in which Kunene uses language to enhance his themes.]

A collection of over 100 poems, mostly short lyrics, Kunene's latest volume [The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain] reveals an abiding faith in the deep grammar of Zulu culture and an indifference to surface events. In his introduction he sets forth his commitments: to be authentic, one must be true to the social ethic of one's people; one can surround oneself with technology's wonders and still be "as contemptible as a dog"; "social action and social cohesiveness" are what matter; to understand their meaning in today's murky world one needs the wisdom of the "Ancestors," the "Beautiful Ones."

The title of Kunene's book seems to be carefully chosen. The first part is illuminated directly by two poems, "In Praise of Ancestors" and "Encounter with the Ancestors," the second part by a poem entitled "Journey to the Sacred Mountains." As the lines from this last-named poem affirm, "Even now the forefathers still live." In the Sacred Mountains "we listened to the great epics / we heard the voices of ancient poets / we were basking in the legends of our forefathers." Many other poems overtly or subtly reinforce the central theme.

To a reader of modern Western poetry, Kunene's lines will probably seem repetitious and his rhetorical devices limited. But he is not interested in verbal pyrotechnics or absurdist games. Art, to him, is neither an exhibition nor a separate world, but instead an organic part of society; therefore the artist "must be a part of what he/she represents or criticizes."

Kunene's language is appropriate to his theme. Elemental words urge the primacy of nature and human bonds. Witness the key words of "Anthem to Peacefulness": "sun … mountains … clouds … winds … rocks … friendships … love … communion … wisdom." These in their right relations bring peacefulness and joy and are worthy of the "big drum" and the "traveller's flute-song."