African Poems

Oral Poetry from Africa

Amore David Olamide

Filed Under: Modern Poetry in Oral Manner

Òjó Yeuge

Within the Yorùbá culture, there exists a tradition of bestowing upon children names that reflect the extraordinary circumstances of their birth.

Known as “Names brought from heaven” (Orúkọ Àmútọ̀runwá), these appellations are imparted upon the newborn by individuals like asagbẹ̀bí (midwives), or occasionally by parents or grandparents who played a role in the birthing process. It is these individuals who, having witnessed the circumstances surrounding the child’s arrival, are entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming a name that resonates with the event. 

The following new poem by Amore David Olamide is in praise of Òjó, a name traditionally given to a male child born with the umbilical cord round the neck.

Òjó Yeuge
You who multiplies wealth like a bountiful harvest…

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Filed Under: Modern Poetry in Oral Manner

Lisabi

A new poem sent to us by Amore David Olamide, in praise of Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala the military organiser and farmer who led the Ẹ̀gbá revolt against Ọ̀yọ́ Empire in Yorubaland between 1775 and 1780.

Although ruled by their own Alake (“king”), the Egba Forest lay within the territory of the Ọ̀yọ́-Yorùbá empire and the Ẹ̀gbá initially paid tribute to the Aláàfin (traditional ruler) of Ọ̀yọ́ for protection. The Aláàfin’s representatives in the Ẹ̀gbá towns began to oppress the locals, demanding excessive tributes. Lisabi, a farmer, organised a militant movement under the guise of a traditional mutual aid society which provided collective support for its members in heavy work such as clearing land and gathering in the harvest. In reality, the farmers mutual aid society was a miltary organisation that united and armed all the Ẹ̀gbá towns.

The civil war which erupted in Ọ̀yọ́ around 1775 provided a suitable opportunity for Lisabi to launch a massacre of the local Ọ̀yọ́ forces and the military organisation he had established were successful in defending against Ọ̀yọ́’s reprisal attacks. Having won independence for the Ẹ̀gbá people many honour him by calling themselves the children of Lisabi.

When Lisabi appears in a ruthless manner
He had the appearance of flying debris…

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Filed Under: Modern Poetry in Oral Manner

Oriki Ibetta

A new poem sent to us by Amore David Olamide. The title of the poem, Oríkì Ìbẹ́ta, translates from Yorùbá into English as “Praise poetry for triplets.” 

Commenting on the celebrations that traditionally accompanied the birth of triplets in Yorubaland, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu said that in the past it was the custom for the Oba (royal chief) of the town to be immediately informed when triplets were born and for him to give everything that he was wearing at the time of the announcement to the children as gifts.

The scion of Ìrèsé
Three masterpieces that cannot be assailed …

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Filed Under: Modern Poetry in Oral Manner

Oyeku (Averting Death)

A new poem by Amore David Olamide that contemplates the meanings of Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì, one of the integral verses of the Yorùbá religious corpus Odù Ifá. 

The Ifá compilation opens with a chapter called Èjì Ogbè that explores the themes of light and becoming one with the world. In stark contrast the next odù, Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì, addresses the darker aspects of life and suggests that good can come from bad, no matter how unlikely it may seem at the time.

In the following poem, the poet describes the path of an individual who, in order to avert death, adheres to several spiritual preconditions advised by Ifá.

The death that will kill a seasoned swimmer
Will rather make the hyacinth suffer horribly…

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Filed Under: Modern Poetry in Oral Manner

In Praise of Onikoyi

A new poem by Amore David Olamide, in praise of Oníkòyí one of the provincial chiefs in the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire (see also Oníkòyí, the Warrior King).

Oníkòyí played an important part in the political and military administration of the kingdom, defending the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire against external forces and leading the army to battle as their Field Marshal. It was also his responsibility to lead all provincial kings to the metropolis at Ọ̀yọ́ on the annual festival when these chiefs paid homage and tribute to the Aláàfin, ruler of the empire.

Tell them about an unflappable warrior
A warrior both at home and on the battlefield…

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