(toc) #title= (Table of Content)
Durban, South Africa – Some Notations Of Value by Chris Abani
Metal giraffes march up the bluff
toward the lighthouse. In the moonlight,
whales, or their ghosts, litter the sand.
There is a museum by the park that houses
apartheid; contained in stiff wax dummies.
The tour bus stops on the road’s edge.
On the right a black town, the left Indian.
Pointing he says: This is the racial divide.
Stopping at the bar, the drink menu offers—
Red’s Divas only five rand each.
Each night the pounding sea reminds me
that, here, women are older than God.
These people carry their dead with them,
plastering them onto every met face.
Yet love hums like tuning forks
and the fading spreading sound
is the growth of something more.
Their absence is loud and I long
for the confetti flutter of butterflies.
Abattoirs litter the landscape with the sinister
air of murder, signs proclaiming: Zumba Butchery,
as though this is where the Zumba’s blood-
lust got the better of them.
The air conditioner in my room hums
a dirge to a sea too busy spreading rumors.
Death skips between street children
playing hopscotch in the traffic.
The woman singing in Zulu, in a Jamaican bar,
is calling down fire, calling down fire.
There is no contradiction.
General Introduction
"Durban, South Africa – Some Notations Of Value" by Chris Abani is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the complexities of South African society through vivid imagery and introspective reflections. The poem delves into themes of racial division, historical trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit, offering a snapshot of the cultural and social landscape of Durban.
Title
Durban, South Africa – Some Notations Of Value
The title sets the scene and geographical context of the poem, indicating that the observations and reflections presented are specific to Durban, South Africa. The phrase "Some Notations Of Value" suggests that the poem is a series of significant observations or insights about the place and its people.
Themes
1. Racial Division
- "On the right a black town, the left Indian. Pointing he says: This is the racial divide."
- This line highlights the stark segregation that exists within the city, a remnant of apartheid's legacy. The clear demarcation between black and Indian towns underscores the persistent racial divides.
2. Historical Trauma
- "There is a museum by the park that houses apartheid; contained in stiff wax dummies."
- The museum serves as a stark reminder of the painful history of apartheid. The "stiff wax dummies" symbolize the frozen, unchanging representation of past horrors, indicating that the trauma still haunts the present.
3. Mortality and Presence of Death
- "These people carry their dead with them, plastering them onto every met face."
- This line suggests that the memory of the deceased is ever-present in the lives of the people, affecting their daily interactions and emotional landscape. The omnipresence of death is a significant theme throughout the poem.
4. Resilience and Hope
- "Yet love hums like tuning forks and the fading spreading sound is the growth of something more."
- Despite the pervasive themes of death and division, there is an underlying sense of resilience and hope. Love and human connection are portrayed as enduring and transformative forces.
5. Cultural Syncretism
- "The woman singing in Zulu, in a Jamaican bar, is calling down fire, calling down fire. There is no contradiction."
- This line captures the blending of different cultural elements, reflecting the complex and diverse cultural landscape of Durban. The fusion of Zulu and Jamaican influences suggests a harmonized coexistence despite historical divisions.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery
- "Metal giraffes march up the bluff toward the lighthouse. In the moonlight, whales, or their ghosts, litter the sand."
- The vivid imagery paints a surreal and haunting picture of the landscape, emphasizing the otherworldly and eerie atmosphere of the scene.
2. Symbolism
- "Abattoirs litter the landscape with the sinister air of murder, signs proclaiming: Zumba Butchery."
- Abattoirs symbolize death and violence, while the name "Zumba Butchery" adds a layer of irony and dark humor, pointing to the casual acceptance of brutality.
3. Metaphor
- "The air conditioner in my room hums a dirge to a sea too busy spreading rumors."
- The air conditioner's hum is metaphorically described as a dirge, a mournful song, suggesting a pervasive sense of sorrow. The sea spreading rumors implies the restless and chaotic nature of life in Durban.
4. Juxtaposition
- "Death skips between street children playing hopscotch in the traffic."
- The juxtaposition of death with the innocent game of hopscotch highlights the precariousness of life and the ever-present danger faced by children in the city.
5. Personification
- "These people carry their dead with them, plastering them onto every met face."
- The dead are personified as a burden carried by the living, emphasizing the emotional weight of loss and the inescapable presence of past traumas.
6. Repetition
- "The woman singing in Zulu, in a Jamaican bar, is calling down fire, calling down fire."
- The repetition of "calling down fire" emphasizes the intensity and fervor of the woman's song, suggesting a powerful and transformative act.
Language and Mood
The language of the poem is evocative and rich in imagery, creating a vivid and often haunting portrayal of Durban. The mood oscillates between somber reflection and subtle optimism, capturing the complexity of the city's social and emotional landscape. The use of sensory details and metaphors deepens the reader's engagement with the themes of death, division, and resilience.
Context
Chris Abani is a Nigerian-American author known for his works that often explore themes of conflict, identity, and the human condition. This poem reflects Abani's keen observation of societal issues and his ability to convey profound insights through poetic language. The historical and social context of Durban, with its legacy of apartheid and cultural diversity, provides a rich backdrop for the poem's exploration of racial divides and human resilience.
Conclusion
"Durban, South Africa – Some Notations Of Value" is a deeply reflective poem that captures the essence of Durban through a series of vivid and poignant observations. Through its exploration of racial division, historical trauma, and the resilience of love, the poem offers a multifaceted view of the city's complex social fabric. Abani's use of rich imagery, symbolism, and metaphor enhances the emotional depth and impact of the poem, making it a powerful commentary on the enduring legacies of apartheid and the human spirit's capacity for hope and connection.
Leave a comment behind