Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Africa

  • Reflection on Responsibility

    A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of – Nelson Mandela Everyone has a role to play in our society. Even the smallest can contribute to positive change. Often, people think that responsibility is only…

  • Ashanti Proverb: When You Walk In Your Father’s Path

    When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him – Ashanti proverb This excellent Ghanaian adage is self-explanatory. I’ll try to explain some salient points. Generally, it’s an African believe that a child who goes nearer to his father grow up acting and speaking like him. Indeed, this is…

  • Night Poem: Peace

    A tranquil evening is nature’s way Of welcoming a weary shepherd, Sundown – his thoughtful views heralds, Memories in which trees fiercely dance And soft grasses wait when birds fly home

  • Muse: Sunrise

    Fortune may rise with the sunlight For dawn, flourishing lovely dew, Presents a distinct day for a new start And to every man, equal odds to grow

  • My Hometown

    One wakes to the call of Nature every day, with the sun ushering the day Huhuhu-Lalala-kiki, all sort of songs welcome the sun’s golden streaks Crickets quiz, wasps and bees buzz, snakes hiss away, the clock ticked Familiar sounds echo, strong wind rushing through the high tree lines Underneath the vegetation, silent waters flow, but…

  • Opinion: Ethiopia and Tigray 2

  • Someone There by Njabulo N.

    Today I sit in a room clouded by darkness, With pain dominating my body system, Writing for a better tomorrow. As the butterflies flood my tummy, With the air breeze so sweet and calm. I can see beauty deep inside my eyes. Show me the sun that shines bright, Bright more than a bulb in…

  • Night Poem: Tranquility

    A walk away from men Silent songs on dry lips, A cold evening, guitar strapped behind, All explained, there a delighted quiet time

  • Love Poem: Remind me of the sun

    Your pretty face reminds me of the sun, When she rose from the back of many hills Dragging her gold blanket before farms So if I am to paint this beautiful muse I would imagine sunrise over wheat fields And fast approaching evening when birds fly home

  • True Happiness

    December: Happy New Month Hello Dear Friends, I’m delighted to be writing to you. We’ve made it to 2020’s last month – December. We’re resilient, and hope with faith kept us. First, let me congratulate everyone on making it this far. It’s a unique month, and I’m glad to see it. This short story below…

  • Nature: Hope

    We have seen vegetation crumble; Even the greens of Sahara go south Towing with it our life-giving earth Spreading tentacles of drought Upon man who knows only profits I walked ahead of time Beyond those warm blankets Of trees and sunny forest, Listening to Nature speak With hope, I gladly seek

  • The Rainmaker

    When the green neighborhood dance to the call of the wild, one Dark are the skies; darker even are the clouds which stalk the rain The wind came swift and slow; rushing at times as petals of flowers dance To the music of the coming rain; to lullabies that made heads bounce And to the…

  • Inspiration by Franklin Onuoha

    In this lovely piece from Franklin, my Nigerian friend, I could hear the echo of my voice. Well written poem. The sound of hooting owls The chirping of the crickets at night The calm breeze that massages my skin after a hectic day The acrid smell of harmattan The torrents of rain that make musicals…

  • Night Poem: Shining Stars

    Joy emerges as the cold evening mist, Love as glowing stars across the firmaments Dressing the night with glittering dots To impress on all pleasant moments

  • Country Profile: South Sudan (Soudan du Sud)

    Africa’s Youngest Nation The Republic of South Sudan got its independence in 2011, making it the most recent sovereign nation globally. It was formerly an autonomous region in the Republic of Sudan. Shortly a war broke out within the country as rival power groups battled the government. In 2011 it was reported that South Sudan…

  • Folklore: The Tortoise and the Rabbit

    The Mischievous Tortoise Do you ever wonder why Nnabe, the Tortoise, is always portrayed as a mischievous personality in tales? You are not alone. Sometimes I try to understand the nature of this fictitious character, how he reasons, and why he acts the way he does. I even ask why this animal was picked to…

  • The Fruits of Forgiveness are exceedingly sweet

    Without forgiveness, love is not true Letting go of the past is one of the hardest things to do in life. Forgiving people for their wrongdoings are even more challenging. But what makes forgiveness such a fundamental virtue? For any man to go far in life, he has to inculcate the habit of forgiving. Indeed,…

  • African Proverb: Evil Company

    If you choose to make friends with a pig, you must be prepared to live in the mud. The kind of friends we keep affect us and sometimes we are not aware of this. The pig here represents a dirty animal that loves to wallow in the mud. This is an anglicised version of the…

  • Brenda Fassie

    Video of Wedding Day By Brenda Fassie – my favorite pick. Brenda Nokuzola Fassie was a South African anti-apartheid Afropop singer, songwriter, dancer, and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she was sometimes described as the “Queen of African Pop,” the “Madonna of The Townships,” or The Black Madonna. Her bold stage antics earned…

  • Quote: On Happiness

    Happiness is contagious; spread it. It is a direction and not a place. Spread it as you go. 🙂

  • Video: Pangolin Conservation in Nigeria

    Meet the bold Nigerians who are fighting to protect the worlds most trafficked mammal. Credit: Natgeowild

  • Wild Woods Tale: Summer Returns

    When summer finally came, a lot had changed The last snow melted, and the sad land woke Grasses started growing, covering the outer earth So those who burrow scrambled out from the dust Soft airs and tidings surround the mountainside Sending sweet emissaries around the valley below Vines, myrrhs, mistletoes, and pines sprout happily In…

  • Shine Forth

    Let your light shine; the whole of providence is cheering. It’s your day to excel, to exceed, and outshine your past achievements. Arise and Shine! 🌄🌻

  • Opinion: Ethiopia and Tigray

  • Africa’s Strongest: The African Dung Beetle

    Prepare to be amazed by what you are about to read. I decided to write about this excellent weightlifting beetle because of the sheer strength it demonstrates. Yeah, the dung beetle feeds off other animal waste, and it’s common to see them roll it across the countryside with such force that one can’t help but…

  • Video: Responsible Tourism

    We must educate everyone on responsible tourism.

  • Two Poems: Fly and Babies by Peniel Gifted

    FLY Fly little bird Through this sky of whites I want to watch The green wings, flapping. Fly high, even higher Like the bar-headed goose Your bod- blithe As I kiss the Jasmine Hugging from the sky. BABIES With them I sit- The people of Rainbow raiment. They tune in Jillion tunes Sketching a heart…

  • Opinion: Leadership and Hypocrisy

    No change at all Nothing changes here. Even the nationwide protest that claimed many young lives didn’t lead to substantial change. I wonder what could persuade our leaders if the deaths of protesters haven’t. Every time I travel through this blessed state, I see nothing new; it’s heartbreaking that amidst abundance, we have nothing to…

  • What is Love?

    Love is a tiny seed that grows silently and evolves into a tree. It’s green leaves, and strong branches give succor to all that run to its shelter. It’s kind and compassionate. Love knows no religion or tribe. It does not shame or get jealous. It dreams and, like birds, soar above all. It is…

  • Night Poem: Call

    Ever heard birds call out To the fast-falling night Across the glossy horizon As the setting sun sink? Ever waited for sunset To bring in pots, Take out warm mats And wait for moonlight? Slowly night falls here So ends the noisy day

  • Africa’s Deadliest Mammals

    Hippopotamuses have a deadly reputation. They can be huge, weighing up to 3,628 kilograms, and, though they live primarily on plants, they can be very aggressive. They are territorial and will fiercely protect their young. Hippos can use their enormous jaws to turn over small boats, which they mistake for crocodiles. With their sharp 30…

  • African Proverb: A Smooth Sea…

    A smooth sea does not make a skillful sailor. Background: The proverb is originally from Namibia. Significance: Life is like the sea: sometimes we get a gentle sea. But a peaceful sea never made a great sailor. Parents who always shield their child from challenging situations will, in the end, have an idiot of a…

  • Night Poem – Starry Night

    One night, two flasks, A room full of mild wind, A grey paw-licking cat, And a naughty parrot A story rising off the kettle As it goes on with its whistle Two tablespoons of sugar, Lettuce, beans, and cucumber, A very confused dinner Bat parade, Early night, coming cold A gust of breezy wind But…

  • African Proverb: However black a cow is…

    However black a cow is, the milk is always white – Gambian Proverb Background Traditionally, Gambia is an agrarian society. The country which falls in a fertile valley keeps a lot of farm animals, cattle being the predominant livestock. Senegal borders the state, from the north down to the south. Senegambia, a short-lived confederation was…

  • Folklore: Tortoise and The Spirits 1

    Growing up Growing up was fun. School holidays took me to the countryside, where I was acquainted with folklore life. I have done strange but funny things like wearing a girl’s skirt to play with other children (that’s a story for another day), returning to the stream to bury a dead crab I killed, attempted…

  • Quote: Life Is A Circle

    Life is a circle, and stories take us all around it. © Oke Iroegbu

  • Colours of Nature

    Autumn is a second spring when every leaf becomes a flower.

  • I stand beautiful – Poetry

    Memories fade, distanced more Yet apart we wade, off Tears are part of the roles And distrust has become one too Your words still cut through I’m assured that love went wrong I was rock but you made me gold So I offer this little flower token In appreciation to your absentia love I always…

  • Deshauna Barber

    Resilience is key to success. A resilient person through series of failures, disappointments and tough experiences build character and important virtues like confidence, patience, and empathy. Watch Deshauna discuss how being resilient molded her into what she became today. She has a simple message for us: Never give up. 💚 Credit: Goalcast

  • Nairobi

    This is Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and most populated city. The city is also known as The Green City in the Sun and Safari is just a few kilometres ride away. There are museums and parks in the city. Uhuru Park and Nairobi Botanical Garden is an excellent place to relax. When you consider places to…

  • Petition: Global Ban On Illegal Wildlife Trade

    The global trade of wild animals is cruel and puts our health and the world economy at risk from pandemics like COVID-19. Join in calling on African Governments to support and champion a global ban on the wildlife trade. Tell global leaders to act now to protect wildlife, our health, and the planet before it’s…

  • Story about the Tongue

    Once, a chief told one of his servants to bring him the best meat from the market. The servant brought him a tongue. The next day the chief told the servant to bring him the worst meat from the market. The servant brought a tongue again. “What?” the chief said. “When I ask for the…

  • Quote on Greatness

    “You cannot plant greatness as you plant yams or maize. Whoever planted an Iroko tree — the greatest tree in the forest? You may collect all the Iroko seeds in the world, open the soil and put them there. It will be in vain. The great tree chooses where to grow and we find it…

  • Poetry – Safari

    We may do many things Out in the sunny African noon: Take a swim, gather fruits, Talk to nature or sing with it, Dance to live drum beats And eat skewered suya meat Anything that makes life fun And all that makes us nature bond We may have sun-flies on our trail Or pluck the…

  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    Chinua Achebe was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria.”The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.” — Chinua Achebe, THINGS FALL APARTABOUT THINGS FALL, APART THINGS FALL APART tells two overlappings, intertwining stories centered around Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Igbo village in…

  • Igbo Proverb: Sound of The Bitter Cola

    Igbo: Ùda akùilu abùghí ùtō ya English: Bitter Cola doesn’t taste like its sound (literally). Background: Just like the name, bitter cola is a very bitter fruit! Sometimes I do wonder why it’s not called a ‘very bitter cola.’ Alongside the kola nut and garden egg, it is commonly used as a ‘welcome fruit’ in…

  • African Wonders 4: The Pharos of Alexandria

    The Pharos of Alexandria was a lighthouse completed in about 280 BC and was used to warn ships of the rocks surrounding the port of Alexandria, Egypt. The building measured over 110 metres to the top. During the day polished bronzed mirrors reflected the sunlight, and at night a fire burned that could be seen…

  • African Wonders 3: The Great Pyramid

    The Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt is both the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still around today. It was built for King Khufu who died in about 2465BC and is said to have taken thousands of men 20 years to construct. According to Herodotus, an Ancient Greek…

  • The Man Who Never Lied

    Hi everyone! How was your day? I have a story to share. So bring your seats and mats to the fireplace, listen attentively and may the nightingales sing us a lullaby when we retire to bed. Once upon a time there lived a wise man by the name of Mamad. He never lied. All the…

  • African Wonders 2: Sahara Desert

    The Sahara Desert in North Africa is big – very big! It covers a third of the whole continent, measuring 8.6 million square kilometres. It is almost the same size as the USA. It is the largest hot desert in the world. The highest temperature ever recorded there was 58 °C. In a single day,…