Janet Hodgson traces the life of Xhosa prophet Ntsikana (1780-1821) from his birth through his years as a Christian convert, evangelist, and composer of enduring hymns. Ntsikana is known as one of the first Christians to adapt Christian ideas to African culture, writing hymns in isiXhosa and translating concepts into terms that resonated with his Xhosa community. Even today, his hymns are among the most important in the amaXhosa churches, and he is regarded as an important symbol of both African unity and Black Consciousness.