Exploring African Poetic Voices

Exploring African Poetic Voices: A Post-Colonial Perspective on Gabriel Okara’s Works

Hello, 

This blog is the part of thinking activity assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am, on the African poets . In this blog I'm going to discuss some questions and answers based on the African literature and Okara. So let's begin...

Q.1:   What is the difference between White mentality and Black mentality?

In Gabriel Okara’s “You Laughed and Laughed and Laughed”, the dichotomy between the "white mentality" and the "black mentality" is a profound critique of the colonial mindset. The "white mentality" is portrayed as dismissive, materialistic, and culturally arrogant, while the "black mentality" is rooted in resilience, authenticity, and cultural pride.

White Mentality

The "white mentality" represents the colonial arrogance that sees itself as superior. The speaker points out how the colonizers ridicule African traditions, as in the lines: “You laughed at my song, you laughed at my dance, you laughed at my inside” (Okara, 1978). This laughter symbolizes the colonizers’ inability to appreciate the depth and meaning of African cultural practices, instead viewing them through the lens of Eurocentric stereotypes. The colonizers equate material progress with cultural superiority, devaluing the rich spiritual and communal aspects of African life.

Black Mentality

In contrast, the "black mentality" reflects a deep connection to culture, nature, and spirituality. The speaker emphasizes this connection in lines such as: “But my laughter was real” (Okara, 1978), indicating a sense of authenticity and emotional depth absent in the colonizers’ mockery. This mentality represents the resilience and pride of African culture, which persists despite the ridicule and dehumanization of the colonial gaze.

Critical Perspective

From a postcolonial lens, Okara critiques the Eurocentric worldview that diminishes non-Western cultures. As Chris Wanjala suggests, the poem “exposes the cultural arrogance of the colonizer and highlights the cultural resistance of the colonized” (Wanjala, 1980). The "white mentality" seeks to dominate and erase, while the "black mentality" resists through an assertion of cultural identity and spiritual depth. Okara’s work embodies what Frantz Fanon describes as the “psychological resistance to cultural alienation” (Fanon, 1961), turning the colonizer’s laughter into a critique of their own spiritual emptiness and disconnection from humanity.

Conclusion

Thus, Okara’s poem powerfully contrasts the dehumanizing arrogance of the "white mentality" with the authentic and resilient "black mentality," ultimately championing the enduring strength of African culture in the face of colonial oppression.

Q.2: Write a detailed note on post-colonialism with reference to “Piano and Drum”.

Post-Colonialism: An Overview

Post-colonialism is a critical framework that examines the cultural, political, and historical legacies of colonialism and imperialism. It emphasizes the power dynamics between colonizers and colonized, exploring themes of identity, hybridity, cultural dislocation, and resistance. Prominent post-colonial theorists, such as Edward Said (Orientalism), Homi K. Bhabha (hybridity), and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (subaltern studies), provide foundational perspectives for understanding how colonial ideologies influence literature, culture, and identity.

Gabriel Okara and the Context of "Piano and Drums"

Gabriel Okara, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated poets, reflects the tensions between traditional African culture and Western modernity in his poetry. "Piano and Drums," published in the post-colonial era, captures this tension through a symbolic comparison of two musical instruments: the drum, representing African tradition, and the piano, symbolizing Western influence.

The poem's setting, imagery, and language depict the poet’s internal conflict as he grapples with the duality of his identity—rooted in African tradition yet influenced by colonial modernity. Okara’s use of free verse and vivid imagery enhances the poem’s emotional and thematic impact.

Thematic Analysis of "Piano and Drums"

1. Symbolism of the Drum

The drum is a recurring motif in African literature, symbolizing tradition, communal life, and primal energy. In the poem, Okara writes:

> "When at break of day at a riverside / I hear the jungle drums telegraphing / the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw..."

Here, the "jungle drums" evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection to African heritage. The drum's "raw" and "urgent" rhythm reflects the simplicity and authenticity of pre-colonial African life, unspoiled by external influences.

2. Symbolism of the Piano

The piano, in contrast, represents Western culture and modernity:

> "...lost in the labyrinth / of its complexities, it ends in the middle / of a phrase at discord."

The piano’s "labyrinth" and "discord" signify the alienation and fragmentation experienced in adapting to Western ways. It symbolizes a culture that is sophisticated yet detached from the poet’s innate values.

3. Conflict of Dual Identity

The juxtaposition of the two instruments mirrors the poet’s internal struggle. Post-colonial individuals often experience cultural hybridity, as Homi K. Bhabha explains, living in an “in-between” space where traditional and modern identities intersect. Okara expresses this tension through his reflective tone and imagery:

> "And I lost my bearings, lost / in the rhythm of the complex interplay / of the two."

The poet’s loss of "bearings" reflects the existential crisis of post-colonial subjects, torn between the familiar simplicity of tradition and the complexities of modernity.

Post-Colonial Themes in "Piano and Drums"

1. Cultural Dislocation

The poem portrays the dislocation experienced by African societies during and after colonialism. The introduction of Western education, religion, and governance disrupted indigenous practices, leaving individuals caught between two worlds.

Critic Chinua Achebe echoes this sentiment in his novel Things Fall Apart, where colonial interference dismantles Igbo traditions. Similarly, Okara’s poem highlights the cultural rift created by colonialism, as the poet feels alienated from both traditions.

2. Hybridity and Identity

Homi Bhabha’s concept of hybridity is central to the poem. The poet embodies a hybrid identity, navigating between the "drum" and the "piano." While the drum offers a sense of belonging, the piano introduces a new, albeit alienating, dimension to his identity.

Critic Bill Ashcroft, in The Empire Writes Back, argues that post-colonial literature often seeks to reconcile these hybrid identities. Okara’s poem exemplifies this reconciliation through its exploration of the poet’s internal conflict.

3. Resistance to Colonial Influence

The poem implicitly critiques the imposition of Western culture on African societies. By elevating the drum's primal rhythm, Okara resists the erasure of African traditions. This aligns with Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s advocacy for cultural decolonization, emphasizing the need to preserve indigenous languages and practices.

Critical Perspectives on "Piano and Drums"

1. Chinweizu and the African Aesthetic

Chinweizu, a prominent critic of African literature, emphasizes the importance of preserving African oral traditions and cultural values. He views Okara’s poem as a celebration of African heritage, as the drum's imagery evokes communal harmony and ancestral wisdom.

2. Ezekiel Mphahlele on Modernity

South African writer and critic Ezekiel Mphahlele highlights the alienation caused by modernity in African societies. Okara’s depiction of the piano aligns with Mphahlele’s critique of Western influence, as it introduces complexity and discord to the poet’s otherwise harmonious existence.

3. Frantz Fanon’s Perspective

In The Wretched of the Earth, Frantz Fanon explores the psychological impact of colonialism on the colonized. The poet’s internal conflict reflects Fanon’s notion of the “split identity,” where colonized individuals struggle to reconcile their indigenous roots with imposed Western values.

Structure and Style

Okara’s free verse and use of vivid imagery create a dynamic rhythm that mirrors the tension between the drum and the piano. The poem’s structure—beginning with the drum, transitioning to the piano, and ending with the poet’s reflection—captures the progression of colonial influence on African identity.

Conclusion

"Piano and Drums" is a powerful exploration of post-colonial identity, capturing the tension between tradition and modernity. Through its rich symbolism and evocative imagery, the poem articulates the cultural dislocation and hybridity experienced by post-colonial individuals. Okara’s work resonates with the broader post-colonial discourse, offering a poignant critique of colonialism’s enduring impact on identity and culture.

References