DIARY OF A NIGERIAN TEACHER - 2

 

The above picture is a comment from my last post – DIARY OF A NIGERIAN TEACHER.

In this part, I will tell you about one of my favourite memories from my days as a primary school teacher.

I’ve always been intrigued by how the mind works. To see a child come in to a class on the first day unsure and not knowing; but on the last day in the class, the child is sure and knows. It is always something best experienced. It pays to be a teacher indeed. The little joys felt, the obvious changes seen. The children come to gradually understand and love you and vice versa. The loyalty to the class, the bond, the unity, the wins, the losses and the ability to bounce back. Teaching is fun!

One of my favourite memories is the day my class won a Science Quiz. This wonderful term resumed and the kids in my class were as bubbly as ever. These children were a mix of sassy, smart, restless, caring and noisy.  At first, I resorted to punishments but then, I thought different. I love science and little facts. I decided to bring the kids into my world. Every day, during the time for Reading, I made them answer science questions. Sometimes, I gave them questions to research on and present the following day during Reading time. A number of wonderful presentations were made. The children loved to take part in the quiz, hence they behaved as much as they could to remain part of these moments.

One wonderful morning, a few weeks into our wonderful Science quiz moments, the Supervisor of the Primary section reminded the teachers that the Science quiz was to hold that day. I selected five kids to represent the class. The class we were up against was known to have the very bright kids. However, my class shocked the school that day. They surprised even me and won that Science quiz. To avoid going into details, although there was no cup given, we matched with our pride and faces shining with joy to our class. It was a moment to remember, etched in time, in my mind and the minds of those wonderful kids whom I hope will remember that hard work and perseverance with a sprinkle of determination will always pay.

Every teacher has a story indeed! Please do drop your comments below and tell me your view on this subject. If you are a teacher or you have been a teacher, I am very much interested in what you have to say about your teaching journey. The next part will be posted soon.

DIARY OF A NIGERIAN TEACHER

Initially, when I thought about writing a diary on my experience as a teacher in Nigeria, I was torn - should I or should I not? I also wanted to write about this in a very serious format but I think I will rather keep this like 'gist' between friends. 

 

I think I have been a teacher all my life. Actually, not in a school at first but in church. For those who grew up in church, you know what Sunday School teaching is like and I vividly remember one aspect of my interview for the teaching position. I was asked, "have you taught before?"

My painfully naïve and simple response was: "I taught during my NYSC but I have been a Sunday school teacher." I think back on this response cringing a little bit. Of course, the people in the room laughed. 

What can I say? I got the job.

During my NYSC days, I remember teaching a class where most of the students were almost, if not my age. The age difference was not much and there was the English language barrier. I couldn't speak Yoruba and the students were not proficient in English. However, with tenacity and willingness to learn, the students of ss2 in that school pushed through. They pushed through my soft voice, my English language and my lack of Yoruba for in depth explanation. 

My solution - explain carefully with the simplest words and give notes. I would not hurriedly forget those students.

Anyway, after service, real life hit. I enrolled for Masters program in a Nigerian university and while waiting to start, a strike started. I quietly carried my file and hit the streets in search of something to do. At first, I must confess, I learned sewing but I quickly realized, that was not for me. I wanted to start making my own money. To be sincere, that was the major reason I hit the streets. I was tired of asking my dad for money for everything. 

One evening, sitting on my bed as usual in my 'small cubicle', a former course mate put up an advert. The school needed an English teacher. Guys! I dusted my file and went to that school the very next day in a plain black skirt and black shirt with Chinese buttons. After the interview, I was offered the job and I became a teacher. I have already given a little from that interview, maybe someday, I will write about it - but not today. Something to note though, I actually wrote exams first before I was interviewed. 

I returned the following day with my file and submitted it. I met with the Administrator, a young woman who looked at me with a smile and told me I would teach the Primary school English. I had never taught a Primary school and I really wanted to stop staying at home so without knowledge on what it entailed and with joy that I was done staying at home, I jumped at the offer. No negotiations involved. 

My teaching experience brought me tears, laughter, panics, and I learned to negotiate, to speak and to explore. I cried a little when I had to let go of my kids going to the next class. You never know the innocence and smartness of kids until you have stayed with them for entire days. 

"I am emotional like that."

I'll continue this story some other time. My chaotic mind produced this so do not quickly judge this. I have written this feverishly and hurriedly as I cannot wait to delve into all the aspects of this job which many look down on because they do not know what it entails. 

If you have been a teacher or have any teaching experience, please share your story and comment down below. 

African Mythology - Ani/Ala

 

African Mythology – Ani/Ala

Introduction

In many literary works, Greek and Roman mythology can be seen and are used to add taste and classiness to the literature. Rarely do we see the mention of the existence of African gods. In many cases, while the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses are considered unique, exquisite and classic; African gods and goddesses are shunned as idols and objects of shame. They are seen as demons which should be forgotten, avoided and discarded. Their histories and symbolisms desecrated because they are symbols of uncivilization. However, this series will follow African mythology. While the Greeks had Zeus, the Romans had Jupiter, the Scandinavians have Thor, the Yorubas have Sango and the Igbos have Amadioha. The similarity you ask??? They are all revered by worshippers and recognized as “god of thunder.” Seen often as the chief god in many myths of the African people as well as the Greeks/Romans.

Ani or Ala

Ani also known as Ala, Ana, Ale, Ali. Indigenous to the Igbo people found in the South eastern part of Nigeria. Ala or Ani translates to ground or earth. This is a female deity. She is often represented as a regal, dignified female figure on a throne and is said to occupy shrines dedicated to her. Sometimes, she is represented as a mother goddess with a child in her arms and the crescent moon. She is revered as the goddess of the earth. Morality, fertility, creativity and femininity are all part of her. She is a strong and powerful goddess according to the Igbo mythology who rules over the underworld because she bears the bodies of the ancestors and all living things must return to her. Some parts of Igbo land consider her to be the wife of Amadioha, the god of the sky who will be explored later in this series.

Ala or Ani is in charge of the ethics and moral codes and is responsible for punishing those who break the moral codes of the land. When a person commits a taboo, it is seen as a desecration of the land therefore an offence to the goddess of the earth.

She is the goddess of the earth; therefore, she is prayed to for bountiful harvest. She ensures that the ground is fertile and when there is poor harvest, the people usually make sacrifices to appease her and consider that a sign of pollution of the earth leading to the anger and punishment by Ani or Ala. In many communities, she has slaves or worshippers dedicated to her. Ala is sacrificed to before and after harvest to ensure the fertility of the soil.

It is very important to note that Ala is the goddess worshipped during the New Yam Festival. Her special crop in many Igbo communities is the Yam. The planting to the harvesting of the Yam symbolizes a year. Therefore, at the harvest of Yam, she is venerated and praised for a fertile year and bountiful harvest. In many Igbo communities, new yam cannot be eaten unless she has first been celebrated through the New Yam Festival.

This Igbo goddess is sometimes seen as the head of all deities because her influence can be seen and felt in all aspects of the lives of the people.

In rebelling against western literary standards, many African and particularly Nigerian writers have included Ani or Ala in their literary works to project the African mythology fast dying out in contemporary Africa. A very popular literary work which captures the extent of the influence, power and authority of the goddess in the Igbo tradition is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

In the comment section below, please write out the name for the goddess of the earth in your tribe.

 

MURKY WATERS

 

MURKY WATERS

Part One

 

So, I am going to talk about it

Yes, the rumors are true

"They" didn't lie

No, not this time

What they said even in ignorance, they said in truth.

I journeyed to Libya. I journeyed through the desert. My wealth came from years of drug trade in Europe. Why are you looking at me in shock? Don't you believe me? Haha! Yes, you. Are you surprised that the rumors are true and the gossips didn't lie this time?

Don't be my dearest one. The world is really a mysterious place. 

I desired it all. I wanted the flashy things in life. I wanted the fast cars, high ceiling houses, expensive dresses and even high-class parties in palatial mansions. I wanted to dine with silver and sleep with silk. I wanted to hold women holding bags made from real crocodile skin; women pretty not by nature or God but by surgery and fanciful doctors. I wanted to hang real gold around my neck. I wanted it all and more.

Calabar, a small town with many shanties. My friend will sit across on the dirty stairs that led to his house and watch me while eating another strange snack with a nice name. It was shawarma the last time; I wondered what the snack was this time. He smiled and told me

"Real money is in Europe. All these boys going abroad are making real money. Me sef, I'll soon leave this dead country. The real hustle is abroad."

After taking a bite or two of his snack, he will continue

"Uche that went abroad last month, you know Uche now?!" He would say and I'll nod listening keenly because I knew Uche. It was barely a month since he left the country to ‘the abroad’.

"Uche na big boy now. Uche enter Europe today, tomorrow, e done make 190,000 dollars. Change that money to naira sharp and see how much e be."

I'll scream in shock and think about how easy it must be to make it abroad. I would lament the lack of money to go abroad and wish I had a better chance like Uche. My friend will nod and regret too that the chance didn't exist for people like us. He will finish his snack without giving me a bite and I will go into my mother's house lamenting my fate and day dreaming about how I will make money if given the chance to leave the country.

 

One day! One very day I thought was my luckiest day, my friend returned. He was excited. His friend had just returned from abroad, Europe to be precise. He came shining and beaming with dollars on every side and wanted to meet both of us. I almost fainted. I was excited. I told my mother about it and she danced round the small room. There was hardly any space to dance as the room was stashed with all forms of items. From bags to a small work out foam bed with no covers atop and some buckets to catch the water leaking from the roof. Mother danced in the small space she had. She sang praises to God and said that ‘her own don finally better. God don remember her to butter her bread.’

Then, I didn’t know that Europe was a continent with countries of which many are poor. I thought Europe was the modern land flowing with milk and honey; or was it? I foresaw the land with money growing on tall trees and beautiful white women wearing gold anklet and clutching little dogs, waiting for men like me to come and pluck the money - for spending.

 

To be continued…..

WALKING THROUGH HER PRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME: HER ROYAL MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

 

Walking through her Prints on the Sands of Time

“She was more than a monarch…!” Joe Biden stated in his speech on 8^th of September 2022 reacting to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at 96years. She is the longest reigning monarch Britain has had. Queen Elizabeth has been described “a source of stability,” a strong female, a remarkable woman, a “figure of national pride”, a good boss, a “figure of unity”, “an anchor in uncertain times,” a very resilient female, a historical figure. She is said to be kind, hardworking and devoted. Born on 21^st April, 1926 and died on 8^th September, 2022. Messages continue to pour in from around the world in honour of the British monarch who greatly influenced the world throughout her reign. She indeed seemed everlasting; a figure that was always there and seemed never to be going away but all earthly life must come to an end. One thing no one can take away from Queen Elizabeth is that she was a world figure and her death marks the end of an era.

Queen Elizabeth was born on the 21^st of April 1926. She was Her royal Highness Princess Elizabeth Alexandria Mary of York. Her parents were Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth who were at the time the duke and Duchess of York.  Although she was the first child of her parents, she was not in the line of succession of the throne. She was to live a privileged life but a quiet and most likely out of the public life. She had a wonderful and organized childhood, playing

However, as life they say can change in a moment, Elizabeth’s life changed suddenly when on the death of her grandfather her uncle King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to his younger brother Prince Albert her father in 1936. Prince Albert was enthroned; His Majesty King George VI and Elizabeth became the heiress presumptive, next in line to the throne. She was not ‘heir apparent’ because if her parents bore a male child, he will automatically become the heir, moving Elizabeth down in the succession line. This was the law at that time. However, Queen Elizabeth has since changed this law thanks to the strong drive towards building a world of gender equality.

During the second world war, queen Elizabeth at 14years read a speech which was broadcasted on the radio to all children living through the war and being evacuated to be protected. Part of her speech read

“ …And when peace comes remember it will be for us the children of today to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place…”

As the war continued, Elizabeth enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s wing of the British Army when she turned 18. She served as a mechanic and driver until the war came to an end in 1945. While giving a speech in 1947 at 21 years, she in a sincere tone stated;

“…I declare before you all with my whole life, whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong…”

During the second world war, Elizabeth kept in touch with Prince Philip through letters. In 1947, she got engaged and married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg. Their wedding was celebrated across the country. They were married for over 73 years until the death of Prince Philip on April 2021. Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. It is said that although she was queen and head of her country, she let her husband be the head of the family. She made time for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an excellent partner.  She is remembered as a devoted wife and mother.

While on a tour of the Commonwealth with her husband where she was standing in for her father the King who was ill, King George the VI died. Prince Philip informed Elizabeth of her new role as Queen in a lodge in Kenya. She ascended the throne on February 6^th 1952 at 25years. The coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the first British coronation to be televised with cameras allowed inside Westminster Abbey where the coronation took place. queen Elizabeth explained years later that in her early years as Queen, she had to prove herself to courtiers, politicians, her country and the world at large. she explained years later that,

“In a way I didn’t have an apprenticeship. My father died much too young. It was all a very sudden kind of taking on and making the best job you can.”

She understood the importance of connecting with the people. She took on thousands of engagements and invented the “walk about”. The “walk about” changed the way the public interacted with the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II greeted people face to face, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries and waving rather than being chauffeured from afar. Rather than living a remote life shielded from the public's eye, she opened the royal doors of the Buckingham palace to the public for tours.

She has been the Monarch of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth nations since 1952. As head of the commonwealth and Queen of other realms, she frequently visited many countries. It is said that she travelled more than any other Head of State. Wherever she went, she pulled a large crowd. It is said that she was concerned about conflicts and was very diplomatic. She was the first British Monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland in 100 years.

During the Corona Virus Pandemic, she was a source of strength, comfort, reassurance and encouragement. In her speech addressing nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, she stated that

“…we should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again, we will meet again.”

Her Christmas broadcast every year which was keenly looked forward to was where she sent a personal message to the public. She loved her dogs and horses. She had a good sense of humor.

In 2021, she bade farewell to her loving, devoted consort and kind husband, Prince Philip. She was in grief but carried herself with strength in the public. She rarely showed emotion in public.

She was the Royal monarch that welcomed the age of technology and she did this wholeheartedly. Her coronation was the first televised coronation, her annual Christmas message was broadcasted on television in 1957, In 2014 she joined twitter and uploaded her picture on Instagram in 2019 for the first time. it is noted that she is the first British Monarch to pay income taxes. It can be noted that her reign was filled with new inventions and welcomed new traditions.

 

Criticism and Backlash

She was criticized for initially not showing grief at the death of Princess Diana, the divorced wife of her son Prince Charles. She was heavily criticized for not giving a speech in the wake of Lady Diana’s death. The Queen shortly after much criticism came forward a made a passionate speech about Princess Diana and mourning her loss.

Until the time of her death, she has faced criticism over the neo colonialism of African countries formerly colonized by Britain. During her reign, several African countries became independent and the bloody days of Apartheid in South Africa and Kenya took place and came to an end.

Gone but Never Will Be Forgotten

She is the first monarch to mark a platinum jubilee. She has had a remarkable reign, grown a large family and served wholeheartedly her nation. Her death marks the end of an era and it will likely be a long time before another Queen rules Britain as there are three males next in the Windsor line of succession.  God save the Queen!

BONNIE AND CLYDE: ROMANCE AND CRIME

 

BONNIE AND CLYDE: ROMANCE AND CRIME

 

“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN” by Ada Chisaram Nwosu

What better way to die

Than with the sound of screeching tyres

The booms of blazing guns

Glocks so loud you feel alive

The smell of gun powder

The feel of being young forever

Your heart racing

Your favourite song playing

Your trigger finger sliding

Your tightened fist pumping

Your face not frightened

Beholding death fearless

A smile on your lips

You know deep in your heart

You are gone but not forgotten

 

Theirs is a story of crime and love. Around the world, Bonnie and Clyde are romanticized and praised for their crime-love story. They are regarded as the template for crime partners and people are fascinated by them. Their lives have influenced both the literature, music and movie world. However, is their story romantic or not? Should we praise their love? This is the story of Bonnie, Clyde, their gang and their crime spree.

Bonnie Elizabeth Parker was born on October 1, 1910 and Clyde Chestnut Barrow was born on March 24, 1909; they both died on May 23, 1934. They are the popular ‘on the run’ couple who mesmerized the romantic fantasies of Americans in their day and even remain as romantic fantasies today. Several song lyrics, books, movies and performances pay homage to this couple and even liken the love they have or the romantic relationship they yearn for to the type this couple had. Bonnie, Clyde and their gang were robbers who gained fame for their bank robberies but usually robbed small stores. Throughout the period of their crime spree, they were said to have killed nine Police Officers and about 4 civilians. The cold bloodedness of these murders brought fear to the hearts of many Americans who were conflicted between glamorizing them and calling for their immediate arrest.

Bonnie and Clyde held the USA spell-bound with their love story. This was during the time of the great depression. Their crime tour lasted for 2 years but it was blazing and hot for the USA at the time. the newspapers of the day sold out when the couple was featured and they were often featured. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met in 1930. Bonnie was 19 and married to an imprisoned murderer. Clyde was 20. Two weeks after the met, Clyde was sentenced for 2 years. Bonnie smuggled a gun to him which he used to escape from jail but he was recaptured. Clyde was set free in 1932 and that is when their crime spree started. Clyde took Bonnie with him for the first robberies that he led and after a few robberies, Clyde was on the run and Bonnie decided to join him. For two years, Bonnie, Clyde and his gang were running from one state to the other. Police at that time couldn’t cross state borders in pursuit of criminals so this was the way they escaped. Clyde was a very good driver too and he changed cars frequently by stealing them. This helped them to evade arrest. His favourite car was Ford V8, Clyde was said to have written a letter to Henry Ford which read “Even if my business hasn’t been strictly legal, it don’t hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got in the V8.” Bonnie liked to take photos and did so in different poses. She also wrote poetry. After a shoot out with the law enforcement agents which left two officers dead, the photos and poems of Bonnie and Clyde were discovered in their abandoned hide out. When these photos and poems were released to the public, Bonnie and Clyde became a glamorized and celebrated young couple in love who were on the run from the law. People hated the government and Police at this time so they saw Bonnie and Clyde like the glorified outlaws. The couple robbed banks, grocery stores and gas stations but never stole a very large amount. By the 2^nd year of their crime spree, the media had made them so famous and this made it harder for them to operate under the radar and they became scared of being caught. They stopped hiding in motels and took to hiding in the bush using camp fires.  Numerous law enforcement agents tried to catch them but failed. The Police captured one of their accomplices and learned from him about the close ties between the two families. The police used this to set an ambush. Their accomplice’s father stayed by the road side and pretended to need help to fix his vehicle, Bonnie and Clyde stopped to help him and Police officers waited for them in the bush. When the car, a Ford V8 stopped, the Police opened fire. The police shot the couple about 130 times and they died on the spot. The car in which they died in became a trophy which was shown around the USA. Bonnie and Clyde asked to be buried together but their families decided to bury them apart. On Bonnie’s head stone is written: “As the flowers are all made sweeter by the sunshine and the dew, so this old world is made brighter by the lives of folks like you." On Clyde’s headstone is “Gone but not forgotten”, an epitaph selected by Clyde himself. Bonnie and Clyde expected a violent death and prepared for one.  

It is important to note that at the time of Bonnie’s death, she was wearing her wedding ring to her husband (not Clyde) and had a tattoo on the inside of her right thigh with two interconnected hearts labeled “Bonnie” and “Roy.”

Bonnie and Clyde in Movies

-          The Bonnie and Parker Story was released in 1958 directed by William Witney

-          Bonnie and Clyde was released in 1967 directed by Arthur Penn

-          The Highwaymen, a Netflix movie was released in 2019 directed by John Lee Hancock

Literature influenced by Bonnie and Clyde

Some literary works on Bonnie and Clyde include:

-          My Life with Bonnie and Clyde by Blanche Cadwell Barrow

-          Side by Side: A Novel of Bonnie and Clyde by Jenni L. Walsh

-          Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde by Jeff Guinn

-          Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend by Paul Schneider

-          Side by Side by Jenni L. Walsh

-          On the Trail of Bonnie and Clyde: Then and Now by Winston G. Ramsey

The story of Bonnie and Clyde has inspired many aspects of arts including Literature. The outlaws who in love are indeed legendary till date.

What do you know about Bonnie and Clyde? Like, Comment and Share.

THE POET WHO RE-WROTE THE BIBLE TO SUIT THE AFRICAN NARRATIVE: GLADYS CASELY-HAYFORD

 

Who was Gladys Casely-Hayford?

1.      She was born on the 11^th of May 1904

2.      She was born in the Gold Coast where is presently known as Ghana

3.      She is credited as the first author to write in Krio language

4.      She sometimes wrote under the name ‘Aquah Laluah’

5.      She could sing, dance and write poetry at an early age

6.      She did her tertiary education in Europe

7.      After her tertiary education, she traveled for a while with a Berlin Jazz band as a dancer

8.      On her return to Africa, she became a teacher at the Girls’ Vocational School Freetown, Sierra Leone

9.      She taught African folklore and Literature

10.  She celebrated her blackness with unique poems

11.  Not much of her poetry was published when she was alive

12.  Her poems fiercely promoted Africa and the African

 

“Rejoice”

Rejoice and shout with laughter
Throw all your burdens down,
If God has been so gracious
As to make you black or brown.

For you are a great nation,
A people of great birth.
For where would spring the flowers
if God took away the earth?

Rejoice and shout with laughter
Throw all your burdens down
Yours is a glorious heritage.
If you are black, or brown.

This poem celebrates being African. She celebrates the skin colour of Africans which is seen as ugly or below the standard of beauty by Westerners. At the time of this poem, blackness was almost a criminal offence as black people were oppressed, suppressed and repressed. Hayford celebrated the black skin colour as being the best skin colour. She compares the skin colour of the African to the earth. This poem places blacks at the pedestal of being the mother of all living things. She stresses that without the blacks, the earth will not flourish.

In celebrating being black here, she rewrites the biblical narrative that placed the Israelites as the beloved of God. She emphasizes that just as the Bible praised the Israelites as being chosen by God, Africans are also chosen specially as a beloved race.

 

“Freetown”

Freetown, when God made thee, he made the soil alone

Then threw the rich remainder in the sea

Small inlets cradled He, in Jet black stone

Small bays of transcient blue He lulled to sleep

Within jet rocks, filled from the Atlantic deep.

Then God let loose wee harbingers of sing.

He scattered palms profusely over the ground

Then grew tall grasses, who in happy mirth

Reached up to kiss each palm tree that they found.

‘This is my gem! God whispered; ‘this shall be

To me a jewel in blue turquoise set’

Thus spake the mouth of life’s Eternity;

There God couched, lion-like, each mighty hill.’

Silent, they keep their watch over Freetown still

Silent-

 

Freetown celebrates the city Freetown in Sierra Leone. She places Freetown as the biblical land “flowing with milk and honey.” She describes Freetown as the land chosen by God just as God had chosen Jerusalem in the Bible as His own city.

 

“Nativity”

This poem is perhaps the poem that deeply rewrites the biblical narrative. It re-narrates the birth of Jesus as the birth of an African child.

Within a native hut, ere stirred the dawn

Unto the pure One was an infant born,

These two lines remind us of Jesus being born in a manger. The poet rewrites this as an African born in a hut. Mary the mother of Jesus is regarded as the virgin but this poem places her as the African mother whom she refers to as the ‘pure One’.

Laid on his father’s home-tanned deerskin hide,

The Babe still slept by all things glorified

These lines remind us that as the bible describes the birth of Christ in a manger being born amidst the straw and hay for the animals, the African baby is born on a home-tanned deer skin owned by his father. The Child Jesus is seen as glorious, so is this child born to his African parents.

Spirits of black bards burst their bonds and sang

‘peace upon earth’ until the heavens rang.

All the black babies who from earth had fled

Peeped through the clouds – then gathered round His head,

Telling of things a baby needs to do,

When first he opes his eyes on wonder new;

Telling Him that sleep was sweetest rest,

All comfort cams from His black mother’s breast

These lines are the rewriting of the biblical account of angels coming down from heaven and rejoicing. The Child Jesus is visited by angels and the heavens sang and there was rejoicing as angels came down to earth and celebrated. Here, the bards (traditional poets and singers who compose poems and songs to honour and praise a person) rejoiced till the heavens rang instead of angels as the bible stated. The souls of black babies also visit the child instead of shepherds.

Their gift was love, caught from the springing sod,

While tears and laughter were the gifts of God.

Then all the Wise Men of the past stood forth,

Filling the air, East, West, and South and North,

And told Him of the joy that wisdom brings

To mortals in their earthly wanderings.

These lines tell of gifts and the visit of Wise men. The bible records gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense but to this African child, Hayford writes of gifts of love, tears and laughter. The bible tells of wise men from the east who visit Jesus at His birth, but Hayford rewrites this story and presents wise men from the four corners of the earth who fill the air just like the angels did fill the sky in the bible.

The remaining lines in the poem continue to praise the birth of this child while portraying the deep sense of communal spirit in the African society, making great the African wisdom and giving a peep into the birth of a child in Africa.

The non-Africans might call these poems blasphemy but what stops us from debunking the myths that demean and are derogatory to the African and his society? Hayford celebrates the African sensibilities and experiences. She places the African at the center of all things great. Her poems herald the rebirth of the glory of Africa and the African. Black is indeed beauty and all things African are indeed worthy of adoration.

What can you say about these poems by this great poet?