See her caught in the throb of a drum
Tippling from hide-brimmed stem
Down lineal vein to ancestral core
Opening out in her supple tan
Limbs like fresh foliage in the sun
See how entangled in the magic
Maze of music
In trance she treads the intricate
Pattern rippling crest after crest
To meet the green clouds of the forest
Tremulous beats wake trenchant
In her heart a descant
Tingling quick to her fingertips
And toes virginal habits long
Too Atrophied for pen or tongue
Could I, early sequester'd from my tribe
Free a lead-tether'd scribe
I should answer a communal call
Lose myself in her warm caress
Intervolving earth, sky and flesh
Why the beautiful piece of poetry? I will tell you soon enough.You don't know this about me, but I must tell you I am a lover of the African culture and traditions. In Nigeria where there are so many different ethnic groups with diverse cultures, It is only imperative that we get acquainted with these varying cultures in order to help us better appreciate, respect and understand ourselves. One way I am able to do this is through dance.
I'm proudly a member of the Igodomigodo African Traditional Dance Troupe in Benin city. We assemble and learn dances from different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Do you see where I'm going with this now? Back to the poem.
I learnt the poem in my secondary school days but i didn't fully understand or appreciate what the poet was really talking about until now. As an African traditional dancer, I realize the poet was actually talking about me. No, John Pepper Clark does not know who I am, but seeing that he was talking about an African traditional dancer which it turns out I am also, I would say yeah he was pretty much talking about me. You get it now? ok moving on...
JP Clark wrote this poem after his visit to Agborland in 1959. He was greatly inspired after he saw the unique dance culture of the great kingdom. His focus was on a beautiful, young Agbor dancer whose intricate movement was so captivating and seductive it got him thinking of her in a sexual way. Hmm...you need to see me do the Akunuche dance, I bet you wont be able to take your eyes of me *winks*
I love the African traditional dances. If you have seen one, you would know that they are beautiful and very unique.The movement of the body and the rythmn of the drums is quite mesmerizing. One of my favorite dances is the Ekombi dance of the Efik speaking people of Cross-River state, Nigeria. It is a graceful dance with incredible footwork. It depicts a woman's feminity and beauty.
watch this video I got from youtube
