What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 ›...
Transcript of What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 ›...
![Page 1: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
![Page 2: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it?
Do you think Africa is unique in its
history?
What history has shaped Africa?
![Page 3: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
African Mysticism
◦The belief in God, spirits and
man, where life’s purpose is to
gather knowledge and power in
the human world in order to bring change
![Page 4: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
AN AFRICAN ELEGY
Elegy – ode to honour memory of someone/something
- Reflective and thoughtful
African – highlights identity, experience and perspective of poem
![Page 5: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
We are the miracles that God made
To taste the bitter fruit of Time.
![Page 6: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
We – who? Humanity or African people?
miracles – perfect and inexplicable (African experience is unique and astonishing)
bitter – unpleasant taste
bitter fruit of Time – Metaphor◦ (Time compared to a tree/seasons)
![Page 7: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
We are precious.
And one day our suffering
Will turn into the wonders of the earth.
![Page 8: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
precious – unique, valuable
- In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans
our – pronoun, plural & includes speaker
suffering – purpose / living (African view)
wonders – amazing things, difficult to explain
the earth – meaningful contributions
![Page 9: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
There are things that burn me now
Which turn golden when I am happy.
![Page 10: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
things – unknown, difficult to explain
burn – hurt, cause pain, inspire, annoy
me – personal pronoun of experience
golden – priceless, of great value
happy – can you know happiness
without sorrow?
![Page 11: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Do you see the mystery of our pain?
That we bear the poverty
And are able to sing and dream sweet things.
![Page 12: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Do you … pain? – Rhetorical question
◦ can you understand other’s experience if you have never suffered it yourself?
you – change in pronoun, now referring to “the other” – causer of pain/suffering
mystery – difficult to explain
our/we – inclusive plural pronouns
![Page 13: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
bear – suffer
poverty – literal (poor) and figurative (African, lacking)
sing – celebrate sweet –appreciation
Paradox – have a bad experience, but still find reason to celebrate
![Page 14: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
And that we never curse the air when it is warm
Or the fruit when it tastes so good
Or the lights that bounce gently on the waters?
![Page 15: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
curse – swear or be ungrateful
Rhetorical question – African people find beauty and value in nature
![Page 16: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
We bless the things even in our pain.
We bless them in silence.
![Page 17: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
bless – gives thanks, appreciate
African people are grateful – they do
not linger on the negative, but rather search for joy, meaning and healing
silence – a sign of respect and honour (not celebration, not suffering)
![Page 18: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
That is why our music is so sweet.
It makes the air remember.
There are secret miracles at work
That only Time will bring forth.
I too have heard the dead singing.
![Page 19: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
sweet – enjoyable
air remember – Personification (atmosphere remembers joy/celebration)
secret … work – greater meaning and purpose
Time .. bring forth – need to have patience (Time personified as bringing something)
the dead singing – from the grave
(Ancestral belief)
![Page 20: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
And they tell me that
This life is good
They tell me to live it gently
With fire, and always with hope.
There is wonder here
![Page 21: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
they – Ancestral spirits singing from the dead
life is good – be grateful for everything
live it gently – enjoy life and cause no harm
![Page 22: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
with fire – enthusiasm, energy & passion
hope – soul food ◦ look to future, believe in improvement
wonder – amazing things
here – life, there is always more to life
![Page 23: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
And there is surprise
In everything the unseen moves.
The ocean is full of songs.
The sky is not an enemy.
Destiny is our friend.
![Page 24: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
surprise – unexpected moments, spontaneity
unseen – religion, God, meaning, fate
ocean … songs – Metaphor ◦water is symbolic of emotions and the source of life
![Page 25: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
sky … enemy – death and heaven, leaving earth (personification)
Destiny – your fate,
your future ◦ (personification)
friend – not something to fear
![Page 26: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
We/our – African identity & community ◦ a shared experience
I/me – individual/personal experience as African
You – the outsider, the discriminator and causer of pain
They – the Ancestors that speak from beyond death
![Page 27: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Singing, songs, blessing and silence ◦ the sharing of stories, experience and
suffering, but also celebration and overcoming oppression
Speaker talks about African using negative experiences as a catalyst (agent of change / inspiration) for hope – moving through pain to find healing and joy.
![Page 28: What is “destiny”? Do you believe in it? › wp-content › uploads › 2020 › 06 › 12-P... · -In spite of treatment and colonial view of Africans our –pronoun, plural](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022060413/5f114196c1439d79fc5b1e07/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Regular structure
◦6 x 5-lined stanzas
Shorter lines highlight importance of content