Oral Poetry from Africa
Another set of praises for the Òrìṣà Ògún. Ògún is one of the most popular Òrìṣà, both in Nigeria and across the Caribbean and the Americas. Known as the god of hunting, iron and warfare Ògún is both a violent destroyer and a heroic leader who delivers strength and justice to society.
Now I will chant a salute to my Ogun:
O Belligerent One, you are not cruel…
A Fulani chain riddle from northern Nigeria. This is a word game for two people. One makes up a line, and the other has to add a second line beginning with the last word of the first. In the process, the players are constantly devising fresh metaphor.
The foreigner salutes you?
Salutes imply royalty?..
A Kanuri Praise-Poem from the ancient kingdom of Bornu in northern Nigeria. Kaigama was the title of the Sultan’s chief slave, commander in chief of the army and responsible for the defence and general administration of the southern part of the Bornu kingdom.
Kaigama Anterashi,
Star of the morning…
An Oríkì (praise poem) in praise of Dada Areogun, one of the most famous Yorùbá carvers in wood (1880–1954). Born in the village of Osi, now known as Osi-Ilorin in Ekiti state. See the Ere-Yorùbá site for more information about Dada Areogun.
Dada, who has Ogun’s money to spend.
The end of his cloth is knotted like an infant’s umbilical cord…
A lively example of a Yorùbá poetic tradition known as Iwì Egúngún, the chant of the masked dancers. Masquerades feature on festive occasions, such as a chief’s appointment, the funeral of a prominent person, the dedication of a shrine, the visit of someone important.
Offspring of Abilodesu, listen to my words
One with disordered head pad…
This Yorùbá Ìjálá (Hunting Poem) is different, praising not an animal but a plant. Cassava, also called manioc or tapioca, is a root vegetable, rich in starch, but not so nutritious as yams or maize, and consequently grown only along the farm’s boundary.
Lafunyinrin,
a stand-by cheering the despondent…
