(toc) #title= (Table of Content)
I Will Pronounce Your Name by Sedar Leopold Senghor
I will pronounce your name, Naett, I will declaim you, Naett!
Naett, your name is mild like cinnamon, it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps
Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees
And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth under the masculine ardour of the midday sun
Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind,
Fresher even than the short dusk, when the heat of the day is silenced,
Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning
Naett, coin of gold, shining coal, you my night, my sun! …
I am you hero, and now I have become your sorcerer, in order to pronounce your names.
Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day.
General Introduction
"I Will Pronounce Your Name" is a poem by Léopold Sédar Senghor, a prominent Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist. Senghor is widely celebrated as a key figure in the Negritude movement, a literary and ideological movement developed by Francophone black intellectuals in the 1930s to celebrate African culture and identity. This poem reflects Senghor's characteristic blend of African and European elements, demonstrating his deep appreciation for both his heritage and the French language. Senghor often wrote about Africa, using rich imagery and symbolism to evoke the continent's landscapes, cultures, and people.
Title
The title, "I Will Pronounce Your Name," immediately suggests a personal and intimate declaration. The act of pronouncing a name can signify reverence, love, or even a ritualistic homage. This sets a tone of adoration and respect, hinting that the poem will revolve around the significance of the subject's name—likely a beloved figure. The repetition of "I will" implies a determined effort, suggesting that the act of naming or identifying holds profound importance in the poem.
Literary Devices
1. Anaphora:
The repetition of "Naett" at the beginning of multiple lines underscores the poem’s central focus on the subject. It enhances the rhythmic quality of the poem and emphasizes the speaker’s deep reverence for Naett. The repetition serves almost like a chant or invocation:
- "Naett, your name is mild like cinnamon, it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps"
- "Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning"
2. Simile:
Senghor uses simile to compare Naett’s name to pleasant and evocative experiences, contributing to the sensory richness of the poem:
- "Naett, your name is mild like cinnamon"
- "it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps"
These comparisons convey warmth, sweetness, and a calming presence, enriching our understanding of Naett’s significance to the speaker.
3. Metaphor:
The poem is filled with metaphors that connect Naett to natural elements, enhancing her association with the African landscape:
- "Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees"
- "Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind"
These metaphors emphasize purity, freshness, and vitality, portraying Naett as a life-giving force.
4. Personification:
The poem personifies nature, linking it closely with Naett:
- "it is the fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps"
Here, the lemon grove is given a human action (sleeping), implying tranquility and contentment. This personification adds a layer of intimacy between the natural world and Naett, suggesting she is a nurturing presence.
5. Symbolism:
Naett is symbolically associated with various elements that embody African culture and landscape, such as the savannah, cinnamon, and tamarind. These symbols evoke both the physical and cultural essence of Africa, blending the personal and the communal:
- "And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth under the masculine ardour of the midday sun"
- "Naett, coin of gold, shining coal, you my night, my sun!"
6. Contrast:
Senghor contrasts different images to express Naett’s multifaceted nature:
- "you my night, my sun!"
The juxtaposition of night and sun highlights the duality of Naett, suggesting she embodies both mystery and clarity, darkness and light. This contrast reflects the complexity of the speaker's feelings toward her.
Themes in "I Will Pronounce Your Name" by Léopold Sédar Senghor
1. Love and Adoration
At its core, the poem is an expression of profound love and adoration. The speaker’s repeated invocation of Naett’s name indicates deep affection and reverence. The vivid and tender imagery—like comparing her name to "cinnamon," "fragrance," and "blooming coffee trees"—portrays Naett as a source of sweetness, comfort, and vitality. The speaker’s love is not just for the person, but also for what she represents. Senghor’s language elevates this affection to something sacred, almost divine, suggesting that Naett is more than just a person—she is a symbol of everything the speaker holds dear. The metaphorical references, such as "you my night, my sun," emphasize the completeness and duality of this love, encapsulating both the nurturing and challenging aspects of their connection.
2. Cultural Identity and Pride
The poem is deeply rooted in African culture, reflected through Senghor’s use of natural and cultural imagery. The mention of "cinnamon," "lemon grove," "coffee trees," and "tamarind" not only draws upon the rich landscapes of Africa but also signifies a deep connection to the land and its traditions. Naett becomes a personification of Africa itself—a representation of its beauty, strength, and resilience. Through this portrayal, Senghor expresses pride in his heritage, aligning his love for Naett with his love for Africa. The poem serves as an assertion of African identity, celebrating its unique qualities in contrast to the European influences that were dominant during Senghor’s time. By intertwining the personal with the cultural, Senghor elevates the theme of identity, showing that to love Naett is also to love his roots, history, and people.
3. Nature and the Divine
Senghor frequently associates Naett with elements of nature, suggesting that she embodies the natural world’s beauty and power. The comparisons to the savannah, dew, and shadows of tamarind invoke a serene and harmonious relationship with the environment. However, the poem also touches on the destructive forces of nature, as seen in the reference to the "dry tornado" and "hard clap of lightning." These elements add a dimension of awe and respect to the speaker’s feelings for Naett, as she is both nurturing and formidable. Moreover, the repetition of her name in a near-ritualistic manner implies that she is a divine or spiritual force. The speaker’s role as a "sorcerer" who pronounces her names hints at the mystical power of language, suggesting that to name Naett is to invoke her essence, much like a prayer or incantation. This connection between nature and the divine reinforces the idea that Naett is a life-giving force, both earthly and transcendent.
4. The Power of Language and Naming
The act of naming is a significant theme in the poem, as the speaker repeatedly declares, "I will pronounce your name." In many cultures, names carry immense power—they define identity, establish connections, and invoke the presence of those named. Senghor taps into this idea by making the act of naming central to the poem. The repetition of Naett’s name becomes an act of creation, as if by saying her name, the speaker brings her to life or affirms her existence. The speaker’s transformation into a "sorcerer" to pronounce her names suggests that this act is not merely linguistic but also magical and sacred. The poem illustrates how language can be a powerful tool for expressing love, preserving culture, and invoking the divine. The power of naming also ties into the theme of cultural identity, as Senghor, through the poem, reclaims and honors African names and the cultural significance they hold.
5. Duality and Complexity
The poem highlights the theme of duality, particularly through the contrasts in the imagery used to describe Naett. She is depicted as both gentle and fierce, nurturing and destructive, light and dark. The metaphors of "coin of gold" and "shining coal," along with "my night, my sun," reflect the speaker’s recognition of the multifaceted nature of Naett. This duality can also be seen as a reflection of the complexities within African identity itself, especially during the period of decolonization when Senghor was writing. The poem suggests that Naett, like Africa, cannot be reduced to a single image or idea. She is both the beauty of the savannah and the force of the tornado, embodying a balance between opposites that gives her a profound depth and richness. This theme of duality challenges simplistic notions of identity, encouraging a more nuanced and holistic understanding.
6. Historical and Social Reflection
Though not overtly political, the poem can be seen as a subtle reflection on the broader historical and social context of Senghor’s time. The mention of the "Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day" alludes to themes of exile, loss, and displacement. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the African experience during and after colonization, where many were displaced from their cultural and historical roots. The poem, therefore, can be read as a lament for lost heritage and a call to reclaim it. Senghor’s invocation of Naett can be seen as an act of cultural restoration, where pronouncing her name becomes a way to preserve and honor African history and identity. The theme of historical reflection ties the personal to the collective, suggesting that the love for Naett also represents a love for the history, struggle, and resilience of Africa.
The themes in "I Will Pronounce Your Name" interweave love, cultural pride, nature, and the power of language to create a rich and multilayered work. Senghor’s exploration of these themes elevates the poem from a mere expression of affection to a broader celebration of African identity and heritage. The poem is not just about a singular person; it is about reclaiming, honoring, and celebrating everything that Naett represents—love, nature, culture, and the complexity of the human and African experience. Through these themes, Senghor offers a timeless tribute to both the personal and the collective, making the poem a resonant and powerful piece of literature.
Language and Diction
Senghor’s language is lush and vivid, drawing heavily on sensory imagery to bring Naett to life. His diction is both formal and poetic, filled with words that evoke taste, smell, and sight. The use of rich, natural imagery reflects the poet’s deep connection to his African roots. Phrases like "mild like cinnamon" and "fresher than shadows of tamarind" convey a sense of reverence and affection. The language is lyrical, almost musical, which adds to the sense of celebration and praise in the poem. The use of "you my night, my sun!" employs a kind of symbolic language that emphasizes the beloved’s dual nature.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is one of deep admiration and reverence. There is a celebratory atmosphere, as the speaker honors Naett through his words. The tone is adoring and worshipful, with an almost ritualistic reverence for Naett. The poem reads like an incantation or prayer, where each line builds upon the last to reinforce the speaker’s devotion. The tone also carries a sense of pride in the African landscape and cultural heritage, which is intrinsic to the identity of both Naett and the speaker.
Context
"I Will Pronounce Your Name" was written during a period when Senghor and other intellectuals were actively promoting the Negritude movement. This movement sought to reclaim and celebrate African culture, values, and identity in response to colonialism and the cultural domination of Europe. The poem’s rich African imagery and references to natural elements reflect this cultural pride. Moreover, Senghor’s use of the French language, while celebrating African themes, embodies the dual identity many African intellectuals faced during the colonial period.
Conclusion
"I Will Pronounce Your Name" is a poem that beautifully blends personal adoration with cultural pride. Senghor uses rich natural imagery, rhythmic repetition, and symbolic contrasts to create a work that is both a tribute to a beloved figure and a celebration of African identity. The poem’s structure, language, and themes reflect the poet’s deep connection to his heritage and his role as a voice for African cultural renaissance. Through his words, Senghor not only praises Naett but also elevates the cultural and natural beauty of Africa, making the poem a timeless homage to both the personal and the collective.
Leave a comment behind