Léopold Sédar Senghor (9th October 1906 – 20th December 2001) was a Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist who for two decades served as the first president of Senegal (1960–1980). Senghor was the first African elected as a member of the Académie française. Before independence, he founded the political party called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc. He is regarded by many as one of the most important African intellectuals of the 20th century.



I WILL PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME – Leopold S. 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.

Commentary

Although from its theme,this poem should belong to the collection “Chans pour Naett” One of Senghor’s later works,it is,in facts,listed in Chants d’ombre.A probable explanation would be that in Senghor’s glorification of everything African,the continent and the human beings,especially the women,fuse into One. in effect then,love and concern for the one is the same as love and concern for the other.

“I Will Pronounce your Name”is a love poem celebrating or declaiming the poet’s love for Naett.there is something traditional about the form of this poem which reminds us of praise-singers. Besides the evocative repetition of Naett,the poem progresses by a cumulative use of similes and metaphors,sometimes a bit startling, like ‘the dry tornado,the hand-clap of lightning,but all agreeing with...http://popafrica.com/sunday-african-poetry-special-will-prounounce-name-naett-leopold-s-senghor/

hmmm. i remember this poem!! From my High school days!! Thanks for reminding me

whitemosquito:
hmmm. i remember this poem!! From my High school days!! Thanks for reminding me

Lol You're welcome bro

Yu just made mi rememba d left handed mrs Bello wif ha yuruba accent wen she tot us dat poem, anoda 1 I luved den was "solitary reaper" by william wordsworth. ....... Den dat play trials of Dedan kimati.

Greyworld:
Yu just made mi rememba d left handed mrs Bello wif ha yuruba accent wen she tot us dat poem, anoda 1 I luved den was "solitary reaper" by william wordsworth. ....... Den dat play trials of Dedan kimati.

Lol Yeah True Solitary Reaper was nice too!