Saturday, 30 November 2013

A Nigerian Cultural Poem By An American Poet (Siddartha Beth Pierce)



Amazing Siddartha From The United States Writes A Descriptive Poetry On The Nigerian Culture. 


She shared this poem with me in my inbox, and I was lost for words,I couldn't believe a foreigner could possibly know more than a native...stunned, I also decided to share below:



Baule spirit spouses 
are the belief among 
an African people wherein 
there is also
a husband or wife in heaven 
for everyone- 

So they create sculptures 
and ritually care for them 
once a week 
by feeding them, 
bathing and sleeping with them 
to keep them near their sides. 


Similarly, the Nigerians create 
Ere Ibeji figures as twins birth 
are very common there 
and there is a high 
fetal mortality rate 
and these figures 
stand for the dead twins or twin- 


they are worn in a sash 
around the mother 
and ritually cared for 
and dressed much 
like the Baule spirit spouse figurines. 


Carved from wood 
and adorned with cowry shells 
and scented oils 
the Ere Ibeji are later 
passed down the family line 
either to a surviving twin 
or an aunt or another child 
once an adult 
to honor the dead spirit 
of their family 
and keep their souls 
appeased and comforted. 


Honorable traditions 
for the dead 
mapped out in sculpted hands 
African traditions 
that I have learned in my studies
in graduate school 
that inspire awe within me 
as the amount 
of homage and respect 
for the dead doesn't end
at burial or the mark 
upon the tombstone 
but is carried on 
for generations throughout 
every week and day 
so that they are not forgotten. 

© 2008 Siddartha Beth Pierce
 




Ms. Pierce is a nationally and internationally published poet and artist as well as a Mother.  Some of her works have appeared in The Indian Diary, After-Nyne, Issuu, The Artist in You, The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, The Muses Review, Budzu’s Hammer, and Blue Fifth Review.  Much of her work can be found at writerscafe.org. -
- See more at: http://www.innerchildpress.com/siddartha-beth-pierce.php#sthash.E2QiHOgq.dpuf

Thursday, 28 November 2013

We Give Thanks Unto Thee



The sky did darken
The earth did shake
Evil did prevail
Good did travail
But for a while
But for a season
As a new light ushered in hope
To disperse the gross darkness.


I arise today
into the sunrise of gratefulness
My friends live
Their happiness not defiled
Their blessings not cursed
Their smiles not imprisoned
By calamity not repentant.


Their land not ravaged by doom
Peace rejoices; no sound like boom
Their land not hugged by disaster
No barrenness to appraise as a star.


Need I say more ?
Arise O tongues and give praises
Fall on the ground O you knees
And adore Him who made you 'kneelful'

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my lovely friends in the United States, you are loved!

Poem by: Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Picture Source:

cpitlibrary.wordpress.com