Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases two examples of praise poetry for the Yoruba orisha (orisa) Ogun, the god of iron.
The content of this post is presented for religious, folkloric, and aesthetic purposes.
All content remains with their owners.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1
From http://archive.org/stream/OralLiteratureInAfrica/OralLiteratureInAfrica_djvu.txt Oral Literature in Africa by Ruth Finnegan
"In West Africa, apparently unlike other areas, formal praises are addressed to supernatural beings. Hausa bori spirits for instance, each have their own praise songs (taki, kirari). When the spirit is to be called, its praise songs are played through one after another until it takes possession of one of its worshippers (Smith 1957: 33). The Yoruba praise poems to deities in Nigeria and Dahomey (as well as from the Yoruba in Brazil) are particularly famous. 2 Each of the many Yoruba deities (orisha) has a series of praises expressed in figurative and obscure language, sung by the priest. Here, for instance, is a praise poem about Ogun, the god of iron, one of the most powerful deities, worshipped particularly by warriors, hunters, and blacksmiths:
Ogun kills on the right and destroys on the right.
Ogun kills on the left and destroys on the left.
Ogun kills suddenly in the house and suddenly in the field.
Ogun kills the child with the iron with which it plays.
Ogun kills in silence.
Ogun kills the thief and the owner of the stolen goods.
Ogun-kills the owner of the slave — and the slave runs away.
Ogun kills the owner of thirty 'iwofa' [pawns] — and his money wealth and
children disappear.
Ogun kills the owner of the house and paints the hearth with his blood.
Ogun is the death who pursues a child until it runs into the bush.
Ogun is the needle that pricks at both ends.
Ogun has water but he washes in blood.
Ogun do not fight me. I belong only to you.
The wife of Ogun is like a tim tim [decorated leather cushion].
She does not like two people to rest on her.
Ogun has many gowns. He gives them all to the beggars.
He gives one to the woodcock — the woodcock dyes it indigo.
He gives one to the coucal — the coucal dyes it in camwood.
He gives one to the cattle egret — the cattle egret leaves it white.
Ogun is not like pounded yam:
Do you think you can knead him in your hand
And eat of him until you are satisfied?
Ogun is not like maize gruel:
Do you think you can knead him in your hand ti&x*
And eat of him until you are satisfied?
Ogun is not like something you can throw in your cap:
Do you think you can put on your cap and walk away with him?
Ogun scatters his enemies.
When the butterflies arrive at the place where the cheetah excretes,
They scatter in all directions.
The light shining on Ogun's face is not easy to behold.
Ogun, let me not see the red of your eye.
Ogun sacrifices an elephant to his head.
Master of iron, head of warriors,
Ogun,great chief of robbers.
Ogun wears a bloody cap.
Ogun has four hundred wives and one thousand four hundred children.
Ogun,the fire that sweeps the forest.
Ogun's laughter is no joke.
Ogun eats two hundred earthworms and does not vomit.
Ogun is a crazy orisha [deity] who still asks questions after 780 years.
Whether I can reply, or whether I cannot reply,
Ogun please don't ask me anything.
The lion never allows anybody to play with his cub.
Ogun will never allow his child to be punished.
Ogun do not reject me!
Does the woman who spins ever reject a spindle?
Does the woman who dyes ever reject a cloth?
Does the eye that sees ever reject a sight?
Ogun, do not reject me! [Ogun needs his worshippers].
(Gbadamosi and Beier 1959: 21-2)
-snip-
*ti&x - This is probably a typo but I don't know what the corrected word is or even if a word was meant to be there.
****
Example #2: Mayowa Adeyemo praises Ogun (God of Iron)
Yoruba Poetry, Published on Jan 4, 2014
Ògún onírè ọkọ ò mi
Irúnmolè tí ń rù mìnìmìnì
Òlómi nílé fèjè wè
Òlása nílé fìmọ̀bímọ̀ bora
Ògún aládàá méjì
Ó fìkán sánko, ó fìkán yènà
Ojó Ògún ń fìkòlé òrun bò wá s'ílé ayé
Asa iná ló mú bora
èwù èjè ló wọ̀ sọ́rùn o
Ògún onílé owó ọlọ́nà ọla
Ògún onílé kángun kàngun òde òrun
Méje l'Ògún mi
Ògún alárá nií gbajá
Ògún onírè a gbàgbò
Ògún ìkọlà a gbà 'gbín
Ògún elémoná nií gbèsun asu
Ògún akirun á gbà wo àgbò
Ògún gbénàgbénà eran ahun níí je
Ògún mákinde ti d'Ògún léhìn odi
Bí ò bá gba tápà á gbàbókí á gba húnkùnhúnkùn
á gba tèmbèrí o jàre
mo ní e má bógúnrún fìjà seré
Ògún òlódodo l'Ògún tèmi
Ọmọ Orórínà, ọmọ Tàbúfú
Morú nítorípé l'ójó Ògún kó délé ayé,
Emu ló kó bèrè o ḿgbà tó délè ìrè o
Ògún onílé owó, Olónà olà
Ògún ónile, kángunkàgun òde òrun
Mo ní e má aàbógùn fìjà sére o o
Ara Ògún kan gó gó gó
-snip-
Here's the English translation from the sub-titles that are included in the video:
Ogún oh!
Ogun god of iron, my husband.
A deity that strikes heavily.
He has water at home but bathes with blood.
He has clothes but wears palm fronds.
Ogun possesses two cutlasses:
One for cutting grass, the other for making marks.
Since Ogun came down from heaven to earth,
He uses robes of fire as his cover.
A shirt of blood is what he puts on.
Ogun has a house of riches, a house of wealth.
Ogun has a house of war in the great beyond.
My god of iron is seven.
Worshippers of Ogun bring him a dog.
Ogun also accepts a ram as a sacrifice.
The Ikola offers Ogun snails.
The Elemona offer Ogun roasted yam.
The brave brings Ogun a ram.
The carpenter offers Ogun tree sap.
Makinde, Ogun has become.
If he sells Tapa, he will sell his friend
He will collect three.
Eh, do not use the sword to play with the god of iron.
My Ogun is a truthful deity.
The son of Ororina, son of Tabafu.
I tell you because when Ogun came into this world,
He asked first for palmwine when he got to Ire.
Ogun’s house is full of money.
His pathway is full of wealth.
The owner of the ugly house in heaven,
I tell you, do not fight playfully with Ogun.
Ogun isn’t smiling at all.
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogoun and http://www.orishanet.org/ocha.html for information about Ogun.
****
Maferefún ("praises to the spiritual energy of") Ogun.
Thanks to Ruth Finnegan, the editor of Oral Literature in Africa. Thanks also to Mayowa Adeyemo and the publisher of this video on YouTube.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
South African Praise Poet Zolani Mkiva - Transcript: Praise Poetry Is Essential Part Of African DNA
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides my transcript of a September 6, 2013 South African television show's interview of praise poet Zolani Mkiva, and my transcription of a poem that Zolani Mkiva recited during that program. This post also includes information about this renown South African praise poet.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, sociological, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT ZOLANI MKIVA
"Zolani is one of the youngest practitioners of one of the oldest oral traditions in africa, ukubonga (praise singing). Hailing from Dutywa a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Zolani rose to prominence in 1990 when, barely a year after becoming a fully-fledged Imbongi Yesizwe (Poet of the Nation), the schoolboy was called upon to salute with a red hot rendition the recently released Nelson Mandela at his Welcome Home Rally in Transkei....
1991 saw Zolani complete his matriculation, and during the same year, consolidated his role as Imbongi through extensive work at community projects. The role of an Imbongi is a responsible one in African society, for it involves articulating the feelings of the community, and encapsulating these sentiments in concise poetic phrases. Not only does Imbongi praise, but must also ponder, even offer criticism.
Especially at this time of political transition and nation building in South Africa, Zolani felt the need to broaden his knowledge and analytical tools, and decided to pursue studies in Social Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. His studies included oral traditions, history and cultural issues, and in this way, he became a dual practitioner and scholar of African Poetry as well as Traditional Music. This opened a new path of a wonderful combination as he employed his poetry for musical compositions.
Zolani Mkiva participates in events either as an Imbongi, or alternatively as a Compere. Unlike other performers, he will ordinarily have to give careful consideration before participating in an event, and frequently research the topic at hand, maybe prepare a specific framework for a recital. Like a jazz musician, the lines of an Imbongi are never fixed – they are improvised, at times melodic and at times melancholy. And not always guaranteed to please with tame platitudes - A lion must Roar !"
-snip-
Click http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/477/10/Zolani-Mkiva for more information about Zolani Mkiva.
****
FEATURED VIDEO: Praise poetry essential part of African DNA
eNCAnews, Published on Sep 6, 2013
For more on this and other stories please visit http://www.enca.com/
September 6-Zolani Mkiva speaks to eNCA about African heritage and praise poetry and recited a part of a poem.
****
TRANSCRIPTION: eNCAnews - Praise poetry essential part of African DNA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGf-mc26JXk
[This transcription was made from the video found above. Words that I'm unable to decipher are represented by dashes. Words that I'm unsure of are written in italics. This transcription doesn't capture the intonation that the praise poet used. I represented to emphasized words by capitalizing them. I also am including a few notes after this transcription about the program setting, about clips that were shown during the program, and about certain South African language words in the poem. Additions and corrections are welcome.]
Female host [fh]: September is heritage month and oral traditions are a big part of South African’s heritage. Zolani Mkiva is one of the most famous praise singers in the country. He joins us now.
Zolani, thank you very much for coming in this morning. It’s very good to be with you. Now, I must ask you- what is the place that praise poetry currently enjoys in our country. Does-is there a space for it in our country?
Zolani Mkiva [ZM]: Certainly, there is a huge space for praise poetry. Remember that praise poetry is essentially part of our DNA as a people, that is as Africans in general because we’ve got clan names which form the basis of our identity. And therefore, each and every clan therefore has a praise poet, so to say, what we call imbongis so that the people will articulate thus clan names and they are able to place them back from time immemorial. Because they are the ones that carry the knitting, the lace that laces our history and heritage that dates back from many, many centuries ago. And praise singers therefore are the oral librarians, if you like, of African history and heritage.
fh: How, how are you groomed within your, your clan to become a praise singer?
ZM: It’s a very systematic way of grooming children in general, because it’s not only one child that gets picked up to articulate the clan names and the history of the family, and the history of the community and the nation. It’s something that is done systematically from storytelling, folklore, music, and you infuse all the cultural ceremonies __ __. So you systematically, systematically coached to understand broadly and you are also given the specifics. And therefore one out of those children in that particular community will then rise up and be, you know, the one who carries the flag, ah, of that particular clan, community, nation, and so on.
fh: It’s an amazing tradition. We are celebrating heritage month in the country in September. Of course, the, the bombardment of other media now that South Africa has joined the global village. Is praise poetry becoming obsolete? Or , do, do you think it has had the opposite effect?
ZM – Well, yes and no. You know, that’s how I can answer. It, it depends on what you do with media and what you do with technology. The technology must not lead you. You must guide it to do what you want to communicate. Once you allow yourself to be led by technology, then you will be led behind. So, at all material times as Africans, let’s appreciate the development and integration of the technology but let them happen under our own stewardship. So that at all material times we guide what we mean to happen and what we want to communicate. We take and learn from the best in the world, but it must happen under us-As long as we do that, we will not lose hope as we will be able to communicate what is right according to our values. Once we allow technology and media to tell us what to do, then we will sink.
Fh: That is a very interesting point __. Ah, Zolani, I believe that you’ve been working on a piece of praise poetry for us. And I’m going to ask that you share that with our viewers this morning. Won’t you go ahead and do that for us.
ZM:
A child was born some time ago.
De-socialized and disorientated
Bad mannered and bad natured.
Today is the rebirth of the African child.
Today the African child is born again
Ready to be issued with a new birthday certificate
The lotion for motion has been issued.
Let us be the thinkers of the great thoughts.
Let us be the doers of the great deeds.
Achievement never yet was given to the people as a gift
But as a reward.
Bring the end through [all of us] at work.
Let us tell the whole world that Africa
IS the mother continent.
Tell them. Them tell.
Tell them that. That them tell.
Them that tell.
Tell them that
Africa IS the continent of the future.
Let us program our heritage.
Let us mainstream our Africanness.
Yes, Africa maluju
Africa Harambee.
Africa Uhuru
Fh – I love that Zolani.
AM – Thank you.
fh- Thank you so much for coming in to join us. Much much appreciated.
****
NOTES:
Setting: Zolani Mkiva and the female television host [no name given] are seated at a desk in a television studio.
The female host is dressed in Western clothing. Zolani Mkiva is also dressed in Western clothing [The camera only shows his upper body]. He is wearing a red short sleeved shirt and a beaded pendant necklace that looks very similar to a circular Native American beaded pendant with small strings of beads hanging from it. Zolani Mkiva also has a thin red and white beaded band on his head. He is also carrying a thin wand-type object which I can’t identify and which isn’t mentioned in that segment.
When Mkiva was responding to the question about how he was groomed as praise poet, the program showed a silent clip of young South African males and females dressed in traditional Xhosa? Zulu? clothing dancing as they move down the street as part of an urban street parade. Another silent clip follows of young males dressed up in three piece Western suits with fedora hats doing tap dances as part of the same? street parade.
When asked the third question, Zolani Mkiva is shown responding to that question in an inserted small box, while a larger silent clip shows Mkiva dressed in traditional clothing at some public event where he is singing praises to an elderly Madiba [Nelson Mandela} who is escorted onto the stage as Mkiva is talking.
-snip-
English translation of certain South African language words:
Imbongis - Xhosa term for traditional praise poet. Click http://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/Imbongi for information about imbongis.
**
Maluju- [I think it's a Zulu word that means "calm or plea for peace".
I found that definition in the summary statement of this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JhGAtURewQ
Maluju Africa [Lolo Rollins] Published on Aug 4, 2013
Also, from http://entertainment.iafrica.com/artzine/theatre/previews/44294.html
"The phrase 'Maluju Zulu' means 'it is enough'. It is usually said when an opponent indicates that they want a cease-fire".
**
Harambee - Kiswahili word meaning "pull together"
**
Uhuru - KiSwahili word meaning "freedom"
****
Thanks to Zolani Mkiva for his creativity and his insightful comments. Thanks also to the featured television program and its host. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post provides my transcript of a September 6, 2013 South African television show's interview of praise poet Zolani Mkiva, and my transcription of a poem that Zolani Mkiva recited during that program. This post also includes information about this renown South African praise poet.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, sociological, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT ZOLANI MKIVA
"Zolani is one of the youngest practitioners of one of the oldest oral traditions in africa, ukubonga (praise singing). Hailing from Dutywa a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Zolani rose to prominence in 1990 when, barely a year after becoming a fully-fledged Imbongi Yesizwe (Poet of the Nation), the schoolboy was called upon to salute with a red hot rendition the recently released Nelson Mandela at his Welcome Home Rally in Transkei....
1991 saw Zolani complete his matriculation, and during the same year, consolidated his role as Imbongi through extensive work at community projects. The role of an Imbongi is a responsible one in African society, for it involves articulating the feelings of the community, and encapsulating these sentiments in concise poetic phrases. Not only does Imbongi praise, but must also ponder, even offer criticism.
Especially at this time of political transition and nation building in South Africa, Zolani felt the need to broaden his knowledge and analytical tools, and decided to pursue studies in Social Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. His studies included oral traditions, history and cultural issues, and in this way, he became a dual practitioner and scholar of African Poetry as well as Traditional Music. This opened a new path of a wonderful combination as he employed his poetry for musical compositions.
Zolani Mkiva participates in events either as an Imbongi, or alternatively as a Compere. Unlike other performers, he will ordinarily have to give careful consideration before participating in an event, and frequently research the topic at hand, maybe prepare a specific framework for a recital. Like a jazz musician, the lines of an Imbongi are never fixed – they are improvised, at times melodic and at times melancholy. And not always guaranteed to please with tame platitudes - A lion must Roar !"
-snip-
Click http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/477/10/Zolani-Mkiva for more information about Zolani Mkiva.
****
FEATURED VIDEO: Praise poetry essential part of African DNA
eNCAnews, Published on Sep 6, 2013
For more on this and other stories please visit http://www.enca.com/
September 6-Zolani Mkiva speaks to eNCA about African heritage and praise poetry and recited a part of a poem.
****
TRANSCRIPTION: eNCAnews - Praise poetry essential part of African DNA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGf-mc26JXk
[This transcription was made from the video found above. Words that I'm unable to decipher are represented by dashes. Words that I'm unsure of are written in italics. This transcription doesn't capture the intonation that the praise poet used. I represented to emphasized words by capitalizing them. I also am including a few notes after this transcription about the program setting, about clips that were shown during the program, and about certain South African language words in the poem. Additions and corrections are welcome.]
Female host [fh]: September is heritage month and oral traditions are a big part of South African’s heritage. Zolani Mkiva is one of the most famous praise singers in the country. He joins us now.
Zolani, thank you very much for coming in this morning. It’s very good to be with you. Now, I must ask you- what is the place that praise poetry currently enjoys in our country. Does-is there a space for it in our country?
Zolani Mkiva [ZM]: Certainly, there is a huge space for praise poetry. Remember that praise poetry is essentially part of our DNA as a people, that is as Africans in general because we’ve got clan names which form the basis of our identity. And therefore, each and every clan therefore has a praise poet, so to say, what we call imbongis so that the people will articulate thus clan names and they are able to place them back from time immemorial. Because they are the ones that carry the knitting, the lace that laces our history and heritage that dates back from many, many centuries ago. And praise singers therefore are the oral librarians, if you like, of African history and heritage.
fh: How, how are you groomed within your, your clan to become a praise singer?
ZM: It’s a very systematic way of grooming children in general, because it’s not only one child that gets picked up to articulate the clan names and the history of the family, and the history of the community and the nation. It’s something that is done systematically from storytelling, folklore, music, and you infuse all the cultural ceremonies __ __. So you systematically, systematically coached to understand broadly and you are also given the specifics. And therefore one out of those children in that particular community will then rise up and be, you know, the one who carries the flag, ah, of that particular clan, community, nation, and so on.
fh: It’s an amazing tradition. We are celebrating heritage month in the country in September. Of course, the, the bombardment of other media now that South Africa has joined the global village. Is praise poetry becoming obsolete? Or , do, do you think it has had the opposite effect?
ZM – Well, yes and no. You know, that’s how I can answer. It, it depends on what you do with media and what you do with technology. The technology must not lead you. You must guide it to do what you want to communicate. Once you allow yourself to be led by technology, then you will be led behind. So, at all material times as Africans, let’s appreciate the development and integration of the technology but let them happen under our own stewardship. So that at all material times we guide what we mean to happen and what we want to communicate. We take and learn from the best in the world, but it must happen under us-As long as we do that, we will not lose hope as we will be able to communicate what is right according to our values. Once we allow technology and media to tell us what to do, then we will sink.
Fh: That is a very interesting point __. Ah, Zolani, I believe that you’ve been working on a piece of praise poetry for us. And I’m going to ask that you share that with our viewers this morning. Won’t you go ahead and do that for us.
ZM:
A child was born some time ago.
De-socialized and disorientated
Bad mannered and bad natured.
Today is the rebirth of the African child.
Today the African child is born again
Ready to be issued with a new birthday certificate
The lotion for motion has been issued.
Let us be the thinkers of the great thoughts.
Let us be the doers of the great deeds.
Achievement never yet was given to the people as a gift
But as a reward.
Bring the end through [all of us] at work.
Let us tell the whole world that Africa
IS the mother continent.
Tell them. Them tell.
Tell them that. That them tell.
Them that tell.
Tell them that
Africa IS the continent of the future.
Let us program our heritage.
Let us mainstream our Africanness.
Yes, Africa maluju
Africa Harambee.
Africa Uhuru
Fh – I love that Zolani.
AM – Thank you.
fh- Thank you so much for coming in to join us. Much much appreciated.
****
NOTES:
Setting: Zolani Mkiva and the female television host [no name given] are seated at a desk in a television studio.
The female host is dressed in Western clothing. Zolani Mkiva is also dressed in Western clothing [The camera only shows his upper body]. He is wearing a red short sleeved shirt and a beaded pendant necklace that looks very similar to a circular Native American beaded pendant with small strings of beads hanging from it. Zolani Mkiva also has a thin red and white beaded band on his head. He is also carrying a thin wand-type object which I can’t identify and which isn’t mentioned in that segment.
When Mkiva was responding to the question about how he was groomed as praise poet, the program showed a silent clip of young South African males and females dressed in traditional Xhosa? Zulu? clothing dancing as they move down the street as part of an urban street parade. Another silent clip follows of young males dressed up in three piece Western suits with fedora hats doing tap dances as part of the same? street parade.
When asked the third question, Zolani Mkiva is shown responding to that question in an inserted small box, while a larger silent clip shows Mkiva dressed in traditional clothing at some public event where he is singing praises to an elderly Madiba [Nelson Mandela} who is escorted onto the stage as Mkiva is talking.
-snip-
English translation of certain South African language words:
Imbongis - Xhosa term for traditional praise poet. Click http://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/Imbongi for information about imbongis.
**
Maluju- [I think it's a Zulu word that means "calm or plea for peace".
I found that definition in the summary statement of this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JhGAtURewQ
Maluju Africa [Lolo Rollins] Published on Aug 4, 2013
Also, from http://entertainment.iafrica.com/artzine/theatre/previews/44294.html
"The phrase 'Maluju Zulu' means 'it is enough'. It is usually said when an opponent indicates that they want a cease-fire".
**
Harambee - Kiswahili word meaning "pull together"
**
Uhuru - KiSwahili word meaning "freedom"
****
Thanks to Zolani Mkiva for his creativity and his insightful comments. Thanks also to the featured television program and its host. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
A Tribute To Ghanaian Poet & Diplomat Kofi Awanoor (information, comments, and poems)
Edited by Azizi Powell
I mourn for all those who have died or have been injured in the tragic terrorist attack on shoppers in a Westgate Mall in Naroibi, Kenya (September 21, 2013). My condolences to all the families & friends of the victims of that horrific tragedy.
Ghanaian poet & diplomat Kofi Awanoot was one of those who died in that attack. Here's some biographical information about Kofi Awanoor:
"Kofi Awoonor (March 13, 1935 – September 21, 2013) was a Ghanaian poet and author whose work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people and contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during decolonization. He started writing under the name George Awoonor-Williams"...
Here's an excerpt from an article about the tragic circumstances of that poet's death:
"Writers and poets from around the world have joined in mourning following the news that Professor Kofi Awoonor, a Ghanaian poet and diplomat, died after sustaining injuries during the terrorist attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
Professor Awoonor, who was 78, was in the city to participate in the Storymoja Hay Festival, a celebration of writing and storytelling. He was due to perform on Saturday evening as part of a pan-African poetry showcase.
Professor Awoonor’s death was confirmed by the Ghanaian High Commission in Nairobi in the early hours of Sunday morning. One of the main aims of the Festival is to encourage reading and literacy among Kenya’s young people."
****
POEMS BY KOFI AWANOOR
Example #1: THE CATHEDRAL
(Kofi Awanoor)
On this dirty patch
a tree once stood
shedding incense on the infant corn:
its boughs stretched across a heaven
brightened by the last fires of a tribe.
They sent surveyors and builders
who cut that tree
planting in its place
A huge senseless cathedral of doom.
Source: http://afrilingual.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/the-cathedral-kofi-awoonor/
That blog includes commentary about this poem.
****
Example #2: REDISCOVERY
(Kofi Awoonor)
When our tears are dry on the shore
And the fishermen carry their nets home
And the sea gulls return to bird island
And the laughter of the children recedes
At night
There shall still linger here the communion we
Forged
The feast of oneness which we partook of
There shall still be the eternal gatemen
Who will close the cemetery door
And send the late mourners away
It cannot be music we heard that night
That still lingers in the chambers of memory
It is the new chorus of our forgotten comrades
And the halleluyahs of our second selves
Source: http://alonzy0.tripod.com/id2.html ALONZY'S AFRICAN POETRY SITE
-snip-
I corrected a few typographical errors that were made in this reposted poem.
****
Example #3: Song Of Sorrow
(Kofi Awanoor)
....Something has happened to me
The things so great that I cannot weep;
I have no sons to fire the gun when I die
And no daughter to wail when I close my mouth
I have wandered on the wilderness
The great wilderness men call life
The rain has beaten me,
And the sharp stumps cut as keen as knives
I shall go beyond and rest.
I have no kin and no brother,
Death has made war upon our house;
Source: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/kofi-awoonor-song-of-sorrow/
****
ADDENDUM
I happened upon this diary about the Westgate Mall tragedy from the political left leaning website dailykos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/22/1240566/-Why-No-Discussion-of-the-Westgate-Mall-Attack "Why No Discussion of the Westgate Mall Attack?" by matching mole.
In respond to thee question "Why no discussion [on dailykos] about the Kenyan mall attack, one commenter wrote:
"It's Africa
People die all the time. It sounds cold, but that's what you come to expect when you imperialistically carve out countries without regard to ethnic and cultural considerations."
by evilcommunist
-snip-
Another commenter responded with this:
"Thanks for your cold heartedness
I AM African and I contribute to discussions here about the USA, but I guess it is too much ask you to feel empathy towards people who live on the wealthiest continent that provides every single need for your comfortable American life. Huh?
From the Coltan that allows you to have your mobile phone and fancy electronic gadget to diamonds, gold, copper, tin, manganese, bauxite for aluminum, not to mention the human resources that built the West during past centuries and even today. Sure you can flippantly toss of the continent telling us its just Africa, people die there all the time.
If you bothered to google you'd realize how intertwined the USA is in cooperation with African Union forces in the fight against al Shabaab extremists in Somalia and North Eastern Kenya.
And the renowned Ghanaian poet and former Ambassador to the UN who died in the Kenyan attack was my mentor and Uncle. He was invited to Kenya to perform at the Storymoja Hay Festival for Writers. So I am in mourning and find your comment truly offensive.
Tells you how interconnected we are on this planet. Show compassion!!"
by zizi on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 08:16:39 AM PDT
-snip-
By the way, that commenter has the same nickname as me, but isn't me. That said, I definitely agree with what she wrote.
****
My thanks to all those who I quoted in this post.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
I mourn for all those who have died or have been injured in the tragic terrorist attack on shoppers in a Westgate Mall in Naroibi, Kenya (September 21, 2013). My condolences to all the families & friends of the victims of that horrific tragedy.
Ghanaian poet & diplomat Kofi Awanoot was one of those who died in that attack. Here's some biographical information about Kofi Awanoor:
"Kofi Awoonor (March 13, 1935 – September 21, 2013) was a Ghanaian poet and author whose work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people and contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during decolonization. He started writing under the name George Awoonor-Williams"...
Here's an excerpt from an article about the tragic circumstances of that poet's death:
"Writers and poets from around the world have joined in mourning following the news that Professor Kofi Awoonor, a Ghanaian poet and diplomat, died after sustaining injuries during the terrorist attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
Professor Awoonor, who was 78, was in the city to participate in the Storymoja Hay Festival, a celebration of writing and storytelling. He was due to perform on Saturday evening as part of a pan-African poetry showcase.
Professor Awoonor’s death was confirmed by the Ghanaian High Commission in Nairobi in the early hours of Sunday morning. One of the main aims of the Festival is to encourage reading and literacy among Kenya’s young people."
****
POEMS BY KOFI AWANOOR
Example #1: THE CATHEDRAL
(Kofi Awanoor)
On this dirty patch
a tree once stood
shedding incense on the infant corn:
its boughs stretched across a heaven
brightened by the last fires of a tribe.
They sent surveyors and builders
who cut that tree
planting in its place
A huge senseless cathedral of doom.
Source: http://afrilingual.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/the-cathedral-kofi-awoonor/
That blog includes commentary about this poem.
****
Example #2: REDISCOVERY
(Kofi Awoonor)
When our tears are dry on the shore
And the fishermen carry their nets home
And the sea gulls return to bird island
And the laughter of the children recedes
At night
There shall still linger here the communion we
Forged
The feast of oneness which we partook of
There shall still be the eternal gatemen
Who will close the cemetery door
And send the late mourners away
It cannot be music we heard that night
That still lingers in the chambers of memory
It is the new chorus of our forgotten comrades
And the halleluyahs of our second selves
Source: http://alonzy0.tripod.com/id2.html ALONZY'S AFRICAN POETRY SITE
-snip-
I corrected a few typographical errors that were made in this reposted poem.
****
Example #3: Song Of Sorrow
(Kofi Awanoor)
....Something has happened to me
The things so great that I cannot weep;
I have no sons to fire the gun when I die
And no daughter to wail when I close my mouth
I have wandered on the wilderness
The great wilderness men call life
The rain has beaten me,
And the sharp stumps cut as keen as knives
I shall go beyond and rest.
I have no kin and no brother,
Death has made war upon our house;
Source: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/kofi-awoonor-song-of-sorrow/
****
ADDENDUM
I happened upon this diary about the Westgate Mall tragedy from the political left leaning website dailykos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/22/1240566/-Why-No-Discussion-of-the-Westgate-Mall-Attack "Why No Discussion of the Westgate Mall Attack?" by matching mole.
In respond to thee question "Why no discussion [on dailykos] about the Kenyan mall attack, one commenter wrote:
"It's Africa
People die all the time. It sounds cold, but that's what you come to expect when you imperialistically carve out countries without regard to ethnic and cultural considerations."
by evilcommunist
-snip-
Another commenter responded with this:
"Thanks for your cold heartedness
I AM African and I contribute to discussions here about the USA, but I guess it is too much ask you to feel empathy towards people who live on the wealthiest continent that provides every single need for your comfortable American life. Huh?
From the Coltan that allows you to have your mobile phone and fancy electronic gadget to diamonds, gold, copper, tin, manganese, bauxite for aluminum, not to mention the human resources that built the West during past centuries and even today. Sure you can flippantly toss of the continent telling us its just Africa, people die there all the time.
If you bothered to google you'd realize how intertwined the USA is in cooperation with African Union forces in the fight against al Shabaab extremists in Somalia and North Eastern Kenya.
And the renowned Ghanaian poet and former Ambassador to the UN who died in the Kenyan attack was my mentor and Uncle. He was invited to Kenya to perform at the Storymoja Hay Festival for Writers. So I am in mourning and find your comment truly offensive.
Tells you how interconnected we are on this planet. Show compassion!!"
by zizi on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 08:16:39 AM PDT
-snip-
By the way, that commenter has the same nickname as me, but isn't me. That said, I definitely agree with what she wrote.
****
My thanks to all those who I quoted in this post.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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