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SALUTE TO THE ELEPHANT(Translated. A. Babalowa)O elephant, possessor of a savings-basket full of money O elephant, huge as a hill, even in a crouching posture. O elephant, enfolded by honour; demon, flapping fans of war. Demon who snap tree branches into many pieces and moves on to the forest farm O elephant, who ignores “ I have fled to my father for refuge” let alone “to my mother” Mountain Animal, Huge Beast who tears a man likes a garment and Hangs him up on a tree. The sight of whom causes people to stampede toward a hill of safety. My chant is a salute to the elephant: Ajanaku who walks with a heavy tread. Demon who swallows palm-fruit bunches whole, even with the spiky pistill-cells O elephant, praisenamed laaye, massive animal, blackish-grey in complexsion. O elephant, who single-Handed causes a tremor in a dense tropical forest. O elephant, who stand sturdy and alert, who walks slowly as if reluctantly O elephant, whom one sees and point towards with all one’s fingers The hunter’s boast at home is not repeated when he really meets the elephant. The hunter’s boast at home is not repeated before the elephant. Ajanaku looks back with difficulty like a person suffering from a sprained neck The elephant has a port’s-knot without having any load on his head. The elephant’s head is his burden, which he balances O elephant, praisnamed Laaye, “ o death, please stop following me”- This is part and percel of the elephant’s appellation. If you wish to know the elephant, the elephant who is a a veritable ferry man, The elephant whom honour matches, the elephant who continually swings his trunk, His upper fly-switch, It’s the elephant whose eyes are veritable water-jars. O elephant, the vagrant par execellence, Whose molar teeth are as wide as palm-oil pits in ijesaland. O elephant, lord of the forest, respectfully called oriiribobo O elephent whose teeth are like shafts. One tooth of his is a porter’s load, O elephant fondly called otiko Who has a beast-of- burden’s proper neck. O elephant, whom the hunter somstimes sees face to face. O elephant, whom the hunter at other times sees from the rear Beast who carries mortars and yet walks with a swaggering gait. Primeval lepar, animal treading ponderously. THE EUROPEANCamma Traditional PoemIn the blue palace of the deep ocean Dwells a strange being. His skin is white like salt’ His hair is long like plaited seaweed. His dress is made of fishes, Fishes more charming than birds. His house is built of brass rods His garden is a forest of tobacco leaves. His country is strewn with white pearls Like sand on the beach.
A BABY IS A EUROPEANEwe Traditional PoemA baby is a European He does not eat our food: He drinks from his own water pot. A baby is a European He does not speak our tongue: He is cross when the mother understands him not. A baby is a European He cares very little for others: He forces his will upon his parents. A baby is a European He is always very sensitive: The slightest scratch on his skin results in an ulcer.
MY GOD AND ANCESTORSIbo Traditional PoemMy God and ancestors, I thank you For letting me see this day; May I continue to see more Till my hair becomes white; May the hoe never cut my feet; Protect me and my husband From evil men and spirits; I wish no man evil But if anyone says I have lived too long, Let him go before me to see What it is like in the land of the dead; The man who holds on to owho Cannot get lost in his journey.
COOKING WOMANIbo Traditional PoemWhen woman cooks, cooks and the food is never done When woman cooks, cooks and the foods is never done Die –hard caller stays, stays, without going: Yes Yes Yes, without going Yes Yes Yes, without going Die-hard caller stays, stays, without going.
When women fries, fires without ending When woman fires, fires without ending Die-hard caller stays, stays, without going: Yes Yes Yes, without going Yes Yes Yes, without going Die –hard caller stays, stays, without going
When woman pounds, pounds without finishing When woman pounds, pounds without finishing Die – hard caller stays, stays, without going:
Yes Yes Yes, without going Yes Yes Yes, without going Die – hard caller stays, stays, without going.
BREAD-FRUITIbo Traditional PoemWhat happened to Nweke Njeghiliona?
E – E Nweke Njeghiliona; Bread – fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E-E Nweke Njeghiliona.
What happened to Bread – fruit? Splinter split bread – fruit Bread – fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E –E Nweke Njeghiliona.
What happened to splinter? Fire burnt splinter Splinter split bread-fruit Bread-fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E – e Nweke Njeghiliona.
What happened to fire? Water quenched fire Fire burnt splinter Splinter split bread-fruit Bread – fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E – E Nweke Njeghiliona.
What happened to water? Goat drank water Water quenched fire Fire burnt splinter Splinter split bread – fruit Bread-fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E- E Nweke Njeghiliona.
What happened to goat? Death killed goat Goat drank water Water quenched fire Fire burnt splinter Splinter split bread – fruit Bread – fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E- E Nweke Njeghiliona,
Who created death? God created death Death killed goat Goat drank water Water quenched fire Fire burnt splinter Splinter split bread- fruit Bread – fruit crushed Nweke Njeghiliona, E –E Nweke Njeghiliona.
THE TRAINIteso traditional PoemThe train Carries everybody Everywhere.
It carries the men It carries the women It carries me too A blind boy Wherever it carries me Alas, I meet distress And knock against it With my knee. It carries the men It carries the women, It carries the blind boy To his distress.
IT HAS BEEN RAINING AND RAININGAkan Traditional PoemIt has been raining and raining. It has been raining and raining. I go out to leave my footprints: Behold the footprints of my love. All footprints are not alike. I go out to leave my footprints, And find the footprints of my love.
He has two loves. He has two loves. I go to see him off: I meet the other women. I cannot go on. I cannot go back: I burst into tears.
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