An Akan poem from Ghana, sung by women in praise of the returning warrior. The camel blanket and the sandals on which Agyei is described as treading are metaphors for the men who are carrying him in triumph on their shoulders.
He is coming, he is coming,
Treading along on camel blanket in triumph.
Yes, stranger, we are bestirring ourselves.
Agyei the warrior is drunk,
The green mamba with fearful eyes.
Yes, Agyei the warrior,
He is treading along on camel blanket in triumph:
Make way for him.
He is coming, he is coming,
Treading along on sandals.
Yes, stranger, we are bestirring ourselves.
Adum Agyei is drunk,
The green mamba, Afaafa Adu.
Yes, Agyei the warrior,
He is treading along on camel blanket in triumph:
Make way for him.
Translated by K. Nketia
‘Akan Poetry’
from Black Orpheus 3 (May 1958)
