Feso

work by Mutswairo

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June 26, 2026

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Feso is a novel by Solomon M. Mutswairo, a Zimbabwean author. Published in 1956, it was later banned by Rhodesian censors but became required reading in nationalist circles. The plot was seen as an allegory for the conflict between British settlers and Zimbabweans. Mutswairo also published an English version of the novel in 1974. He was a significant figure in Zezuru-language literature, recognized as the earliest Zezuru-language novelist and most important Zezuru poet.1

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Solomon M. Mutswairo
Mutswairo’s first novel, Feso (1956), was later banned by Rhodesian censors, but it quickly became required reading in nationalist circles because the plot seemed to be an allegory of the British-settler–Zimbabwean conflict. Mutswairo published his English version of the novel in 1974.
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Mutswairo’s first novel, Feso (1956), was later banned by Rhodesian censors, but it quickly became required reading in nationalist circles because the plot seemed to be an allegory of the British-settler–Zimbabwean conflict. Mutswairo published his English version of the novel in 1974.
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African literature
Shona
Feso (1956), a historical novel, was the first literary work to be published in Shona. An account of the invasion of the Rozwi kingdom and an expression of longing for the traditional past, it was written by Solomon M. Mutswairo. Another early novel, Nzvengamutsvairo (1957;…
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Feso (1956), a historical novel, was the first literary work to be published in Shona. An account of the invasion of the Rozwi kingdom and an expression of longing for the traditional past, it was written by Solomon M. Mutswairo. Another early novel, Nzvengamutsvairo (1957;…
Read More