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Salute to the Elephant
(translated from Yorùbá by A. Babalola)
O elephant, possessor of a savings-basket full of money
O elephant, huge as a hill, even in a crouching posture.
O elephant, enfolded by honour, demon, flapping fans of war.
Demon who snaps tree branches into many pieces and moves on to the forest farm.
O elephant, who ignores "I have fled to my father for refuge",
Let alone 'to my mother'
Mountainous Animal, Huge Beast who tears a man like a garment
And hangs him up on a tree.
The sight of whom causes people to stampede towards a hill of safety.
My chant is a salute to the elephant.
Ajanaku who walks with a heavy tread.
Demon who swallows palm-fruit bunches whole, even with the spiky pistil-cells.
O elephant, praise-named Laaye, massive animal, blackish-grey in complexion.
O elephant, who single-handed causes a tremor in a dense tropical forest.
O elephant, who stands sturdy and alert, who walks slowly as if reluctantly.
O elephant, whom one sees and points towards with all one's fingers.
The hunter's boast at home is not repeated when he really meets the elephant.
The hunter's boast at home is not repeated before the elephant.
Ajanaku looks back with difficulty like a person suffering from a sprained neck.
The elephant has a porter's-knot without having any load on his head.
The elephant's head is his burden which he balances.
O elephant, praise named Laaye, 'O death, please stop following me' —
This is part and parcel of the elephant's appellation.
If you wish to know the elephant, the elephant who is a veritable ferry-man.
The elephant whom honour matches, the elephant who continually swings his trunk,
His upper fly-switch,
It's the elephant whose eyes are veritable water-jars.
O elephant, the vagrant par excellence,
Whose molar teeth are as wide as palm-oil pits in ljesaland.
O elephant, lord of the forest, respectfully called Oriiribobo
O elephant whose teeth are like shafts.
One tooth of his is a porter's load, O elephant fondly called Otiko
Who has a beast-of-burden's proper neck.
O elephant, whom the hunter sometimes sees face to face.
O elephant, whom the hunter at other times sees from the rear.
Beast who carries mortars and yet walks with a swaggering gait.
Primeval leper, animal treading ponderously.
General Introduction
"Salute to the Elephant" is a traditional Yoruba praise poem translated into English by A. Babalola. This poem hails from Yoruba oral traditions, a culture known for its rich praise poetry, known as "oriki." Such poems use exaggerated language and metaphors to convey respect, awe, and admiration for a subject, often praising revered figures, deities, or natural phenomena. The elephant, an animal regarded with both reverence and caution in many African cultures, represents strength, dominance, and mystery. The praise offered in this poem draws on Yoruba spirituality and respect for nature, reflecting cultural values of honor and the power of myth.
Title
The title, "Salute to the Elephant," directly establishes the poem's purpose: it is a tribute to the elephant, which is not just a creature but a symbol. In Yoruba culture, animals, particularly majestic ones like elephants, embody strength, power, and resilience. The title sets a tone of admiration and respect, preparing the reader for a series of praises that elevate the elephant to an almost mythical status.
Themes
1. Power and Majesty of Nature
The central theme of the poem is the power and majesty of the natural world, embodied by the elephant. Described as "huge as a hill," "mountainous animal," and a "lord of the forest," the elephant is depicted as a creature of immense size and strength. The poem portrays the elephant as a dominating force of nature, capable of instilling awe and fear alike. Its actions, such as "snapping tree branches" and "swallowing palm-fruit bunches whole," highlight its formidable power and emphasize nature's capacity to overwhelm and humble humanity. The elephant represents the grandeur of nature, reminding us of our place within the natural world and our vulnerability to its might.
2. Respect and Reverence
The poem also emphasizes the importance of respect and reverence, particularly for powerful forces in nature. Through the repeated chant of "O elephant" and the respectful praise names like "Laaye" and "Ajanaku," the poet shows admiration and deep respect for the elephant. The elephant's might is acknowledged with both awe and caution, suggesting that nature’s grandeur deserves reverence. This theme reflects the Yoruba cultural value of respect for all creatures, especially those that embody strength or danger. The elephant's formidable presence, even causing "people to stampede towards a hill of safety," serves as a reminder of the necessity of humility before nature.
3. Symbolism of the Elephant as a Cultural Icon
In Yoruba culture, the elephant symbolizes royalty, wisdom, strength, and resilience. By attributing these qualities to the elephant, the poem highlights the animal’s significance as a cultural icon. It serves as a metaphor for resilience and respect within the community, often paralleling the qualities desired in leaders or revered figures. The elephant, with names like "Laaye" and "Oriiribobo," symbolizes cultural pride, representing a tradition that values honor, wisdom, and loyalty. This theme underscores the connection between culture and nature, suggesting that nature provides symbols of strength that communities admire and seek to embody.
4. The Power of Oral Tradition and Praise Poetry
Another theme of the poem is the celebration of Yoruba oral traditions, specifically praise poetry or oriki. Praise poems are an essential part of Yoruba culture, used to honor people, deities, and animals. The formal language, rhythm, and repetition in the poem reflect the oratory style of praise chants, which were typically recited in ceremonies or rituals. Through the praises of the elephant, the poem exemplifies how oriki sustains cultural values and preserves respect for nature. This theme emphasizes the cultural importance of oral literature as a medium for preserving heritage, honoring power, and conveying moral lessons across generations.
5. Human Vulnerability and the Limits of Human Power
The elephant's immense power is contrasted with human vulnerability throughout the poem. Lines such as "The hunter's boast at home is not repeated when he really meets the elephant" and "The sight of whom causes people to stampede towards a hill of safety" emphasize that humans, despite their attempts to control or conquer, are small in the face of nature's might. The elephant symbolizes forces beyond human control, underscoring humanity's limitations. This theme conveys the message that in the face of nature’s grandeur, human strength is limited, reminding us of the humility required when confronting natural forces.
6. Mortality and the Fear of Death
Embedded in the poem is a subtle exploration of mortality. The elephant, with a “savings-basket full of money” and a "head as his burden," represents not just strength but the cycle of life and death, a common element in nature-focused poetry. This is emphasized in the line, "O elephant, praise named Laaye, 'O death, please stop following me.'" This phrase suggests that encountering the elephant is akin to facing one's mortality, a reality that instills both respect and fear. This theme conveys a philosophical reflection on life and death, suggesting that nature has the power to remind humans of their own mortality.
7. The Supernatural and Mythical Aspects of Nature
Finally, the poem explores the theme of the supernatural through the almost mythical portrayal of the elephant. Described as a "demon" and "vagrant par excellence," the elephant seems to transcend the ordinary, standing as a creature between the natural and supernatural worlds. This mythologized version of the elephant suggests a belief in the mystical aspects of nature, where animals possess powers and wisdom beyond human understanding. This theme reflects the Yoruba cultural perspective that nature is not just a physical reality but a spiritual and mystical force. The elephant, therefore, is a bridge between the physical and metaphysical realms, symbolizing nature's mysterious and awe-inspiring qualities.
"Salute to the Elephant" delves into several themes, including the power of nature, respect, cultural identity, human vulnerability, mortality, and the supernatural. Through the depiction of the elephant, the poem celebrates both the physical might and the symbolic importance of this majestic animal, reinforcing Yoruba cultural values of respect and reverence. It illustrates the power of praise poetry as a means of connecting people to their environment, heritage, and the mysteries of life, creating a profound reflection on humanity's relationship with the natural world.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: The poem abounds in metaphors that emphasize the elephant’s grandeur. For example, "possessor of a savings-basket full of money" uses a metaphor of wealth, highlighting the elephant's value and grandeur.
2. Simile: The poet employs similes to enhance the imagery of strength and size, such as "huge as a hill." This comparison stresses the immense physical presence of the elephant, likening it to a mountain.
3. Personification: The elephant is given human attributes, particularly in lines like "whom one sees and points towards with all one's fingers." This personification emphasizes reverence, as if the elephant holds a position worthy of awe like a ruler.
4. Repetition: The repeated use of “O elephant” and “Ajanaku” reinforces the reverence and admiration throughout the poem, drawing the listener's attention to the elephant's celebrated attributes.
5. Alliteration: Alliteration in lines such as "palm-fruit bunches" creates rhythm and enhances the oral quality of the poem. This use of sound patterns contributes to the chant-like feel, evoking traditional oratory.
6. Hyperbole: Exaggeration is used to heighten the elephant’s mythical stature, like in "tears a man like a garment." This hyperbolic description demonstrates the elephant's raw power, making it almost supernatural.
Language and Diction
The language of the poem is both formal and reverent, aligning with the respect accorded to the elephant. The choice of terms like "praise-named Laaye" and "Ajanaku" reflects the traditional praise names given in Yoruba oriki, evoking cultural pride. The diction is rich in Yoruba cultural references, with phrases such as "porter's-knot," "palm-oil pits," and "mortars," grounding the elephant in a specific African setting. Additionally, the use of Yoruba terms such as “Laaye” and “Oriiribobo” retains the cultural authenticity, connecting the reader to the Yoruba worldview.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is one of awe and reverence. The poet’s tone is admiring, almost worshipful, as they describe the elephant's might, wisdom, and significance. The awe is underscored by descriptions of the elephant’s overwhelming power, its imposing presence, and the fear it commands. The poem conveys a tone of both respect and cautious admiration, fitting for an animal that is powerful and unpredictable.
Context
This poem exists within the Yoruba tradition, where oriki praise poetry is used to honor and celebrate people, deities, and nature. In this context, the elephant represents more than an animal; it is a cultural symbol of strength, heritage, and nature’s majesty. The Yoruba people view the elephant as a creature that embodies wisdom, royalty, and balance—qualities that society values. The poem reflects African traditions of oral storytelling, where animals are often attributed with human-like qualities and revered as symbols of natural forces.
Conclusion
"Salute to the Elephant" is a tribute not just to the animal but to Yoruba culture and its reverence for the natural world. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and traditional praise techniques, the poem elevates the elephant to a position of mythic grandeur. The elephant becomes a powerful symbol of resilience, respect, and mystery, embodying the values and spiritual depth of the Yoruba culture. The poem serves as a reminder of humanity's reverence for nature's might and the humility it instills.
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