Oral Poetry from Africa
A Yorùbá praise-poem from Nigeria. According to legend, the first Alaafin or King of the powerful Yorùbá kingdom of Oyo was Ọranyan. He chose a trader whom he named Onikoyi to be one of his generals, holding command over 1469 men who were obliged to fight to the death and never turn their backs to the enemy. Onikoyi, then, is remembered first and foremost as a warrior.
Onikoyi, the warrior who never received an arrow in his back.
Child of the water lily, child of the squirrel.
A Yorùbá poem from the Iwì Egúngún traditional. Iwì Egúngún is the poetry of masqueraders, who personify the ancestors in the Egúngún masks. Through the masks, the ancestors comment wisely or satirically on the living.
The star is trying to outshine the moon,
The frog is preparing a trick to get wings,
A Yorùbá poem from Nigeria, and among the noblest of all Ìjálá (hunters’ chants). Many different versions of this chant have been published, but all reveal the same admiration and wonder at this animal’s qualities.
Elephant, opulent creature, elephant,
huge as a hill even when kneeling:
Elephant, robed in honour,
a demon, flapping fans of war:
Five Igbo satires from eastern Nigeria. These songs are of the type performed at the funerals of prominent people by groups of singers known as Abigbo singers. The satirical sections form only a part of the performances on these occasions, but the Abigbo singers are renowned for their eloquence and outspokenness.
A message should be taken to the Council men at Aboh,
Should the ruling of this world be with guns?
A good-humoured Igbo song from eastern Nigeria, the singer chiding an individual about the duties of hospitality towards a guest.
Woman, though you cook without ending
And leave your pot on the fire till evening,
A Yorùbá poem from Nigeria. Although the subject matter is serious the tone is light-hearted as the poet uses humour to explore the issue of social obligations in a time of hardship.
The owner of yam peels his yam in the house:
A neighbour knocks at the door.
