Poetry as a Weapon for Africa
- Kiara Aggarwal
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By Irintsoa Rakotomamonjy
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute; we read and write poetry because we are
members of the human race.” -Mr. Keating, Dead Poets Society
The word ‘poetry’ originates from the Greek term ‘poieo’ meaning ‘I create.’ That is it's true essence: a boundless artform that allows us to express beyond time and space. It is
abstract, complex, letting insight in all things that are often ineffable in ‘normal language.’
This ambiguity is where its beauty lies, making it one of the most powerful forms of human
expression.
Beyond personal introspection, poetry also serves as a way to preserve, understand, and
interconnect cultures. Bringing together past and present, tradition and modernity, offering a
woven artistry through which civilizations have been testifying their fights, dreams, and triumphs.
African Poetry: Stitching history with words
In celebration of this year’s World Poetry Day on March 21st , I dedicate this piece to,
African poetry, an integral part of the continent’s heritage. With over 2000 languages spoken
across Africa, literature is as diverse as its people - deeply rooted in oral traditions and historical
narratives.
Poetry in Africa has forever been used to protest, to chant, to manifest and to recount their
stories—preserving their cultural richness and vibrancy. The praise poetry of the Zulu people, for instance, celebrated the accomplishments of leaders, while the Yoruba used chants to invoke spiritual beings.
Through time, many poets strengthened poetry’s role in the society as a mean to face conflicts
like being sold as slaves and, later, colonizers stripping them of their dignity. This was when
the pioneers of African poetry stepped in, particularly in West Africa. They shared a common
goal: using their non-violent swords, words, to fight for independence; striving to dismantle the single narrative that colonialists portrayed.
Post-colonial times, Modern Poetry emerged, keeping its traditional roots while incorporating
western influences. This evolution has also led to innovative experiments, such as slam
poetry and the fusion of languages, ensuring that African poetry remains dynamic as it was. While poets explore more individual, introspective themes—ranging from experiences as immigrants or refugees to communal concerns—they do so without forgetting the history of their people.
The legacy of the poets
Out of hundreds of legendary African poets, here are five who have used their craft as non-violent weapons for social, economic, racial and political advocacy:
1. Tchicaya U Tam’si (1931-1988):
Born as Gérald-Félix Tchicaya in the Republic of the Congo, Tchicaya adopted the pseudonym 'U Tam’si,' which means 'one who speaks for his country' in Bantu. True to his name, he held a steadfast belief in Africa’s resilience and refused to despair over its future. Although he left for France as a young man, his poems were engaged in themes of colonialism, exile, and identity injustice. He wrote Epitome critiquing how Africa was stripped off its dignity under colonialism, and others like Le Ventre (The Belly), a metaphorical poem about political greed. This is him, ensuring that his people’s voice would remain heard timelessly.
2. Dennis Chukude Osadebay (1911-1994):
He was one of the pioneer Nigerian poets who was also the first Premier of Nigeria’s Mid-Western Region (1963-1966). In his collection of poems Africa Sings, he delves into themes with personal point of view, such as his experiences in coming into middle age, as well as political point of view, in which he rejects the pessimistic narratives imposed by colonialists. His works,
though not widely known today, remains as a reminder of an era when words were a
powerful weapon and a dream to fight for Africa.
3. Gladys Casely – Hayford (1904-1950):
A phenomenal woman of her time wanting to “imbue [her] own people with the idea of their own beauty, superiority and individuality […]” Her poems, such as Nativity and The Serving Girl explored themes of racial pride, colonial oppression and the everyday struggles of African women.
Setting her works apart from the poets of her time, she infused them with humour and folk wisdom, making her poems both insightful and relatable. She was also one of the first to write in Krio, a Sierra Leonne Creole, paving a way for generations to preserve their culture.
4. Georges Andriamanantena (1923-2008):
Known by his pen name Rado, he was one of Madagascar’s most beloved poets, whose words captured his patriotism as well as various human experiences. Having a firm stance to preserve the Malagasy language, he was a passionate advocate for the political movement “Fanagasiana,” which is the use of Malagasy instead of French in schools. His poem collections, such as Dinitra
(oath), is described as a work imbued with strong human and political realism, setting itself apart from contemporary artistic expression. His poems were later adapted into songs by Malagasy artists, amplifying his message in different art forms.
5. Warsan Shire (1988-present):
Finally, here is a modern poet, whose work can be more relatable to today’s generation. Born in Kenya to Somali parents, her writing reflects the harsh reality of living as an undocumented refugee in London. “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark,” she wrote in her viral poem Home. She uses her storytelling to portray the pain and resilience, exploring the spaces between belonging and exile, which speaks to many today.
…And so, we write because we’re members of the human race
Poetry, a voice, a cry, a song,
a place where the unheard have always belonged.
It gathers our pain, our dreams, our fight,
turned into flame, into somebody’s light.
It brings out truths too deep to say,
yet through history, it lingers, it stays.
It reminisces of love, of loss, of home,
of broken lands where you came from.
A balm to heal, a spark to rise,
a mirror held to searching eyes.
Here’s to what sets our souls free,
Here’s to the words that keep us live
-Irintsoa
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