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General Introduction
"Go Tell Jesus" by Kofi Anyidoho is a critique of the impact of colonialism and missionary Christianity on African societies. The poem questions the actions and messages of Christian missionaries, suggesting they have diverged from the teachings of Jesus Christ. Anyidoho, a Ghanaian poet, often addresses themes of cultural displacement and the struggles of post-colonial African identity. This poem, from his collection "Earth Child," reflects a deep sense of disillusionment with the imposed religious beliefs and the ensuing chaos in the lives of the African people.
GO TELL JESUS
Go
Go tell Jesus
that his messengers have come
but have forgotten all His words
Ask Him if He said
Men are all equal or
Men are un -equal?
Who did He say God is?
A bearded old boogy
sitting far up in the skies
watching and not caring?
Go
Go ask Jesus
whether He really said
we cannot reach our God
if we do not pass through Him
Tell Him to tell you
the fate of my ancestors
Who lived and died before
He the Christ was born
Will all of them be
Damned?
Go
Go ask Jesus
why He did not tour the world
to spread the word of death
but gave it to a chosen few
and in parables they can't explain
Tell Him
Tell Jesus
that that little peace I enjoyed
before His messengers arrived
has been disturbed
and I cannot sleep and dream
until it is restored
Tell Him
Tell Jesus
there is chaos in my house
My sons have left their heads and hearts
My daughters their hearts and heads
They are screaming shrieking
burning each other's Souls
all because
His messengers have come
but have forgotten His words
May it please Him come again
That we may see the truth
That the truth may make us see
That peace is not a piece of bread in wine
Go
Go tell Jesus
His messengers have come
But have forgotten His Words of Life"
by Kofi Anyidoho "Earth Child”
Analysis of "Go Tell Jesus" by Kofi Anyidoho
Title
The title, "Go Tell Jesus," immediately sets a directive tone. It implies a plea or a demand to communicate directly with Jesus Christ about the confusion and turmoil brought by his followers. The repetition of the phrase "Go tell Jesus" throughout the poem reinforces the urgency and desperation of the speaker's message.
Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1
The poem opens with a directive to "Go tell Jesus" that his messengers, the missionaries, have arrived but have forgotten his teachings. The speaker seeks clarification on Jesus's teachings about equality and the nature of God, challenging the portrayal of God as a distant, uncaring figure. This stanza highlights the disconnect between the missionaries' actions and the core teachings of Christianity.
Stanza 2
The speaker continues to question Jesus, asking about the exclusive path to God through Him. This raises concerns about the fate of the speaker's ancestors who lived before Christianity reached their land. The rhetorical question about their damnation underscores the tension between traditional beliefs and the imposed Christian doctrine, suggesting a lack of inclusivity and fairness in the missionaries' message.
Stanza 3
In this stanza, the speaker critiques the method of spreading Christianity, noting that Jesus did not personally travel the world to disseminate his teachings but entrusted them to a select few who conveyed them in parables. The speaker laments the loss of peace and the ensuing chaos in their life caused by the arrival of the missionaries. The imagery of disturbed sleep and a disordered household symbolizes the deep disruption to the community's harmony and cultural identity.
Stanza 4
The poem concludes with a powerful appeal for Jesus to return and restore the true message of peace and truth. The speaker hopes that Jesus's return will bring clarity and peace, contrasting the current state of confusion and conflict. The final lines suggest that true peace transcends the material offerings symbolized by "bread in wine," advocating for a deeper spiritual and cultural reconciliation.
Themes
1. Colonialism and Cultural Displacement
The poem reflects the impact of colonialism and the forced imposition of foreign religious beliefs on African societies. The arrival of Christian missionaries symbolizes the broader disruption of African cultural and spiritual life.
2. Religious Hypocrisy and Misinterpretation
Anyidoho critiques the missionaries for deviating from the true teachings of Jesus, highlighting the discrepancy between their actions and the message of equality and compassion supposedly preached by Christ.
3. Search for Truth and Reconciliation
The speaker's repeated plea to "Go tell Jesus" signifies a longing for truth and clarity. There is a desire to reconcile the imposed Christian beliefs with the traditional African worldview and to restore peace and harmony.
4. Impact of Religion on Social Harmony
The poem explores how the introduction of Christianity has disrupted the social fabric of the speaker's community. The imagery of family members in conflict illustrates the broader societal impact of religious imposition.
5. Spirituality vs. Materialism
The closing lines suggest that true peace and spiritual fulfillment cannot be found in material offerings but in a deeper understanding and reconciliation of beliefs.
Structure and Form
The poem is structured in free verse, allowing for a natural flow of thoughts and emotions. The repetition of the phrase "Go tell Jesus" serves as a refrain, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the speaker's message. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter reflects the chaotic and disordered state the speaker describes.
Literary Devices
1. Repetition
The repeated directive "Go tell Jesus" underscores the speaker's desperation and insistence on seeking answers from Christ.
2. Imagery
Vivid imagery is used to depict the disturbance and chaos in the speaker's life, such as "My sons have left their heads and hearts / My daughters their hearts and heads."
3. Rhetorical Questions
The poem employs rhetorical questions to challenge the missionaries' messages and to provoke critical thinking about the implications of their teachings.
4. Allusion
References to Christian doctrine and the teachings of Jesus are woven throughout the poem, grounding the critique in specific religious context.
5. Irony
There is a poignant irony in the fact that the missionaries, who are supposed to bring a message of peace and salvation, have instead brought confusion and conflict.
6. Metaphor
The metaphor of "peace is not a piece of bread in wine" suggests that true peace cannot be found in superficial religious rituals but in deeper spiritual understanding and harmony.
Language and Diction
The language is direct and confrontational, reflecting the speaker's frustration and disillusionment. The diction includes both simple and complex terms, effectively conveying the emotional weight and intellectual depth of the critique.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is one of disillusionment and distress. The tone is urgent and questioning, marked by a deep sense of longing for clarity and peace.
Context
Kofi Anyidoho's work often addresses themes of cultural identity and the impact of colonialism. "Go Tell Jesus" reflects the historical context of African societies grappling with the imposition of Christianity and the resulting cultural and spiritual dislocation.
Conclusion
"Go Tell Jesus" is a powerful commentary on the complex and often painful interactions between African cultures and colonial missionary efforts. Kofi Anyidoho challenges the reader to reflect on the true meaning of religious teachings and the profound impact of cultural imposition. The poem calls for a return to the core values of peace and truth, advocating for a reconciliation that respects and integrates diverse cultural identities.
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