THE AFRICAN YOUTH
As a toddler,
In a typical third world African setting,
Growing up wasn’t easy,
But it was worth it.
In a typical third world African setting,
Growing up wasn’t easy,
But it was worth it.
Running around in a torn multi-coloured pants,
Cut from the coat of many colors,
Or remnants of Alaso’ fabric,
But worn with joys and peace.
Cut from the coat of many colors,
Or remnants of Alaso’ fabric,
But worn with joys and peace.
As higher animals,
The Lizards envied us,
Nodding in awe and acknowledgement,
To men god in abject poverty.
The Lizards envied us,
Nodding in awe and acknowledgement,
To men god in abject poverty.
We carried "Egun" to buy sweets,
Scaring fellow kids as night falls,
Till their parents gave us coins,
"Baba Mama Ka le oh"
"Wa dagba, wa darugbo”
A melody of our generation,
How i miss my childhood,
When you encounter Yaba & Onipan Masquerades,
They come in peace,
Tell them you know a Daraloje,
Who is an Author and a Poet.
Once i met a Cheetah,
In one of my many sojourns,
She told me of how the Lion reigns supreme ,
Rulling with fear,
At the appearance of a Lion,
Lower animals cower.
I know i am a Daraloje,
I understand my natural and supernatural roots,
I respect foreign gods,
But i know who i am.
Do you know who you are?
Why fit in, knowing you can stand out?
Why struggle when you can hussle?
Laziness is a curse,
Don't be a lazy African youth.
Do you know who you are?
Why fit in, knowing you can stand out?
Why struggle when you can hussle?
Laziness is a curse,
Don't be a lazy African youth.
Life will throw darts at you,
But remember who you are,
A phenomenon,
With a possibility mentality,
In whose hands things work.
You might not be a Daraloje,
But what are you good at?
Until you pay the PRICE,
You won't get the PRIZE.
That's just the way it works.
An Eagle descends to prey on weaklings,
A Python dances the death dance to feed,
A Lion has to outrun an Antelope to survive,
An Antelop strategizes to avoid being preyed on,
It's all about survival instincts,
As Abraham Maslow opined in his pyramid.
If you remain a Lazy African youth,
It won't be long before you become a story,
A story that saddens your generation,
In a continent where wealth abound,
It will be tough at the beginning,
But it will end in praise if you believe.
From the Python i learnt timing,
The Lion taught me techniques,
The Eagle taught me focus,
The Slot volunteered to add his,
But quickly i declined,
She would have taught me slotfullness.
What do i even know?
"Ki ni omode mo? "
Afterall, i am just a hunter and a Poet,
From the ancient city of Ede,
"Omo Timi Agbale, Oloofa ina"
"Afi ojojumo dara bi Egbin"
"Omo yi da? Iree wa ni yi"
Get me my keg of palm wine,
Let me jolly in the glory of success,
For surely, "Results cancels insults.
Review of the poem.
The African Youth was written by Babatunde Raimi on, April 3, 2019. This is a long narrative poem of fifteen stanza with seventy-seven lines and irregular rhyme scheme. The poem is written in English, the poet included his native (Yoruba ) language in some lines.
The African Youth was written by Babatunde Raimi on, April 3, 2019. This is a long narrative poem of fifteen stanza with seventy-seven lines and irregular rhyme scheme. The poem is written in English, the poet included his native (Yoruba ) language in some lines.
He used his life experiences to narrate the journey of youth and what he means being and youth and important of attaining success. The poet employ a lot of figure of speech in his poem and the use of animals and object as symbols. The first line of stanza Egún is the Yoruba word for “ancestors.” Egún in a slightly different Yoruba tone also means “bones.” This Yoruba word and its double meaning connect ancestors to the bones of the human body, emphasizing the interconnectedness between ancestors and living descendants.
Looking at the theme of the poem simply revolves around youths and success. The poet started the poem by creating a picture of background, setting and his childhood. Pouring in his memories of little beginnings and early life into the mind of the readers. The poet came from an Africa background, Nigeria, Yoruba tribe. In analyzing the first and second stanza, the poet came from a local/ primitive background which he adore and loves dearly.
In stanze three and four, the poet penned down the playful memories of his childhood which sum of his happiness during his upbringing. The poet pointed how the beauty and fun he experienced. He further to say (in stanza three) that lizard are jealous of them.
In stanza five, six, seven, we will see where the introduce himself as Daraloje which means modern in English. Giving himself praises and stating his lesson and wisdom he has learned (in stanze six), using animals as a typology. In stanze eight, the poem reach the climax when the poet stated the theme in line 3, 4, and 5 of stanza eight (Why struggle when you can hussle? Laziness is a curse, Don't be a lazy African youth). He went further point that every youths should always remember who they are no matter what life throws at them. They should be good at something. They should strive to achieve something and be successful and don't be lazy. He started the importance of hard work and sacrifice which stand as a price to obtain the prize (success) we desire. That's how life works. No matter insults or mockery you might received along the journey, attain your result or goals.
In addition, the pointed out how sad and heartbreaking it will be if youths becomes a failure to their generation (see stanza twelve). In conclusion, the poet encourage the youth to be determined and strong willed in becoming successful because it worth it in end. It comes with a celebration and sense of fulfillment.
Note: the poet used his native language which required a ntaive interpretation to get the meaning. photo credit: Instagram