"Ancient Tales"
Let me tell you of ancient tales
Stories that birthed our roots
And gave our identity trails
Like the tales of Oduduwa the great, ancestor of the Yorubas
The reign of Attah Ameh Oboni of the Igala kingdom
The journies of Bayajjida the father of the Hausas
The lifetime of Tsoede the ancestor of the Nupe folks
The famous stories of the origin of the Igbos
Let me tell you of ancient tales
Like the great exploits of Queen Amina of Zazzau
The bravery of Queen Moremi of Ife
And the priceless sacrifice of Princess Inikpi, the Attah's beloved
The mystic strength of our fathers
The aesthetic Nok art
And dexterity display of the Ife art.
The fame of king Jaja of Opobo
The captivating Benin art
And the great dynasty of the Benin Kingdom
Let me tell you of ancient Tales
Tales that sings of the slavery scar of our people
Of bodies buried beyond the wombs of waters
And of voices swallowed by the raging sea
To a journey of no return.
Is it of the civil War that ravaged our unity ?
Or of the tribal wars that soaked our land with blood ?
How can I forget the *Aba* women's riot of 1929 ?
The struggle for freedom,
The scramble for Africa,
And the voices that rose to defend a just course.
Indeed, permit me to tell you a tale
A tale of our dear pains and gains!
Ancient Tales: An Ode to Nigeria's Heritage
In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage of Nigeria, Abah Goodness has penned a masterpiece titled "Ancient Tales". The poem is a collection of stories that have shaped the identity of the Nigerian people. It reflects on the great deeds of our ancestors, the beauty of our art, and the struggles that have defined our nation.
Through the use of figures of speech such as alliteration and repetition, Abah Goodness captures the essence of the tales she tells. She employs alliteration in lines such as "the mystic strength of our fathers" and "the captivating Benin art" to create a musical quality that adds to the poem's beauty. The repetition of the phrase "Let me tell you of ancient tales" throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of the stories she tells and their place in Nigeria's history.
The poem celebrates the bravery of historical figures like Queen Amina of Zazzau, Queen Moremi of Ife, and King Jaja of Opobo. It also highlights the sacrifice of Princess Inikpi and the origin stories of various ethnic groups in Nigeria. Furthermore, it delves into the painful history of slavery and the various wars that have plagued the country.
"Ancient Tales" is not just a tribute to Nigeria's past, but also a reminder of the struggles that have brought us to where we are today. It encourages us to learn from our history, preserve our heritage, and strive towards a better future.
In conclusion, Abah Goodness' "Ancient Tales" is a masterpiece that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria. Its vivid imagery, figures of speech, and storytelling ability make it a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the history of this great nation.
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