Beware, Soul Brother by Chinua Achebe
We are the men of soul
men of song we measure out
our joys and agonies
too, our long, long passion week
in paces of the dance. We have
come to know from surfeit of suffering
that even the Cross need not be
a dead end nor total loss
if we should go to it striding
the dirge of the soulful abia drums. . .
But beware soul brother
of the lures of ascension day
the day of soporific levitation
on high winds of skysong; beware
for others there will be that day
lying in wait leaden-footed, tone-deaf
passionate only for the deep entrails
of our soil; beware of the day
we head truly skyward leaving
that spoil to the long ravenous tootBeware Soul Brother
and talon of their hunger.
Our ancestors, soul brother, were wiser
than is often made out. Remember
they gave Ala, great goddess
of their earth, sovereignty too over
their arts for they understood
too well those hard-headed
men of departed dance where a man’s
foot must return whatever beauties
it may weave in air, where
it must return for safety
and renewal of strength. Take care
then, mother’s son, lest you become
a dancer disinherited in mid-dance
hanging a lame foot in air like the hen
in a strange unfamiliar compound. Pray
protect this patrimony to which
you must return when the song
is finished and the dancers disperse;
remember also your children
for they in their time will want
a place for their feet when
they come of age and the dance
of the future is born
for them.
This Poem is a part of the poem "Beware, Soul Brother" by Chinua Achebe. It appears close to the beginning of the poem.
The excerpt captures some key aspects of the poem:
- Celebration of Culture: It uses the metaphor of dance to represent life and the importance of cultural traditions.
- Suffering and Endurance: It acknowledges past hardships ("surfeit of suffering") but emphasizes finding meaning in cultural practices ("the dirge of the soulful abia drums").
- Beware of False Promises: It warns against being lured by empty ideas ("ascension day, the day of soporific levitation") that neglect the importance of cultural roots ("the deep entrails of our soil").
- Importance of Legacy: It stresses protecting cultural heritage ("patrimony") for future generations ("your children").
Beware, Soul Brother is a collection of poems written by Chinua Achebe, a famous Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic. It was published in 1971, following the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). The war heavily influenced Achebe's writing during this period.
The title poem, "Beware, Soul Brother," is written in free verse and blends elements of traditional Igbo culture with Christian and Western influences, a theme Achebe often explored in his work.
Here's a brief breakdown of the poem's content:
Celebration of Culture:The poem uses metaphors like dance to represent life and the importance of cultural traditions for the Igbo people.
Suffering and Endurance: The poem acknowledges the hardships faced by the community, possibly referencing the Civil War, but emphasizes finding strength and meaning in cultural practices.
Beware of False Promises: The speaker warns against being lured by empty ideas that offer escape but don't address real problems.
Importance of Legacy: The poem stresses the importance of protecting cultural heritage for future generations.
"Beware, Soul Brother" is considered a significant work in African literature. It critiques colonialism's impact while urging readers to hold onto their cultural identity.
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