A Yorùbá Ìjálá (hunter’s poem) from Nigeria (see also Hunters’ Salutes). The poem describes vividly the buffalo’s attributes of speed and terrifying strength.
Buffalo, we salute you:
Butterfly of the savannah…
Tiger
This poem from the Ifá oracle illustrates how, through a superb description of the tiger’s hide and claws, tiger was granted honour by consulting Ifá and making sacrifice.
Ifa divination was performed for Tiger,
The one with the lovely and shining skin…
The Yerima Mohammadu
An extract from a Kanuri Praise-Poem from the ancient Bornu kingdom of northern Nigeria. The Yerima was an official responsible for the defence and general administration of the northern part of the Bornu kingdom and was invariably the grandson of a Sultan.
The Yerima is like a prancing horse whose legs are not hobbled,
Like a camel which wanders where it will without a halter…
Salute to the Olu Oje Onpetu Lineage
An extract from a Yorùbá praise-poem from Nigeria. According to legend, Olu Oje was one of the first kings of the ancient Yorùbá city of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.
Offspring of Layimese who was invited to assume a chieftaincy title,
Because of a chieftaincy title he went to Oje…
Rano
A Hausa Praise-Poem from northern Nigeria. Rano was a chief killed in battle around 1870. The poem’s emphasis is placed very firmly and vividly on Rano’s exploits in battle up to the time of his death.
Sarkin Rano is a beloved of God;
Since he fell in battle, marriage has become unmanageable…
Recitation of the Bride
An improvised recitation sung by a Yorùbá bride as she is escorted by musicians and relatives to her husband’s house. She speaks her mind about all the hopes and concerns that she has, whilst drummers announce her arrival.
Those who stand-let them stand well.
Those who stop-let them stoop well…
