Africa through a poet’s eyes

It’s no coincidence that this collection of poetry written by Daily Trust columnist, Ibraheem Dooba is titled ‘Rhymes From Africa’. This author’s strength is in his ability to rhyme, most times, throughout a particular poem. Take the poem, ‘I’m the Lion’ on page 10, for example: I’m the king I get what I want, Where […]

It’s no coincidence that this collection of poetry written by Daily Trust columnist, Ibraheem Dooba is titled ‘Rhymes From Africa’. This author’s strength is in his ability to rhyme, most times, throughout a particular poem. Take the poem, ‘I’m the Lion’ on page 10, for example:

I’m the king

I get what I want,

Where I want,

And when I want.

In Africa I hold the turf.

I’m king because I’m tough.

I’m the king because I’m rough.

Animals flee when I cough.

And gone is the hide that calls my bluff.

My weapons are my paws. 

With them I blunt my flaws.

With them I break the laws.

And tear preys with my jaws

I’m the lion. I’m the king!

This book explores some of the culture or traditions common to Africa. One of them is the rise in the African population due to the people’s lifestyle. Although development is slow, men like to take several wives, even when it’s not convenient. So the population continues to rise, while little is done to improve the economy where it matters. 

Sometimes it’s tricky trying to decipher what Dooba is actually saying, because his lines appear to be simple, yet have depth. Is Africa boasting about its riches, or is it beating its drum so much it doesn’t see how times change and economies outside the continent are thriving? Are Africans proud, or are they vain? Here’s a typical example:

I am the Gazelle

I walk like a princess,

But without her airs,

I’m slight, bright and 

beautiful

I’m the gazelle. I’m graceful.

But, looking at it from another perspective, one could say it’s talking about how Africa has all it takes to be rich, and although it doesn’t reach its full potential, it’s not discouraged, or ashamed, or intimidated. Rather, it’s hopeful and holds its head up high like a gazelle.

There are 26 poems in this collection, with titles like ‘The Hunter’, ‘The Myth’, ‘I’m the Zebra’, ‘Africa’ and so on. 

In some instances, it’s clear when Africa is being praised by the author, with flowery language pointing to its natural beauty and splendour. 

Divided into four parts, of which three have subtitles, such as ‘She’, ‘The Duo’, and ‘Tots’, ‘Rhymes From Africa’ doesn’t seem to leave any stone unturned. In this book, there’s the mother and child rhyme in ‘Mother’, father and child in ‘Father’, and a few other poems. 

After reading these poems, perhaps one may only wish there were more creative titles beyond ‘African Child’, ‘Father’, ‘Mother’, and the like. But all in all, this work is like a surgeon across Africa and its complex nature, where, like everywhere in the world, there’s a time to laugh and smile, frown and scream. The poet only seems to be saying, this is Africa the way I see it. How do you see it?