Claudia, from TBNY, blogged this beautiful and moving poem by David Diop. David Diop was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1927, to a Cameroonean mother and a Sengalese father. I liked the idea of showing both texts, side by side. A frique mon Afrique A frica my Africa
Afrique des fiers guerriers dans les savanes ancestrales
Afrique que me chantait ma grand-mère
Au bord de son fleuve lointain
Je ne t’ai jamais connue
Mais mon regard est plein de ton sang
Ton beau sang noir à travers les champs répandu
Le sang de ta sueur
La sueur de ton travail
Le travail de l’esclavage
L’esclavage de tes enfants
Afrique dis-moi Afrique
Est-ce donc toi ce dos qui se courbe
Et se couche sous le poids de l’humilité
Ce dos tremblant à zébrures rouges
Qui dit oui au fouet sur les routes de midi
Alors gravement une voix me répondit
Fils impétueux cet arbre robuste et jeune
Cet arbre là -bas
Splendidement seul au milieu de fleurs blanches et fanées
C’est l’Afrique ton Afrique qui repousse
Qui repousse patiemment obstinément
Et dont les fruits ont peu à peu
L’amère saveur de la liberté.
Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs
Africa of whom my grandmother sings
On the banks of the distant river
I have never known you
But your blood flows in my veins
Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields
The blood of your sweat
The sweat of your work
The work of your slavery
Africa, tell me Africa
Is this your back that is unbent
This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
And saying no to the whip under the midday sun
But a grave voice answers me
Impetuous child that tree, young and strong
That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently, obstinately
Whose fruit bit by bit acquires
The bitter taste of liberty.
August 22, 2004
Afrique / Africa by David Diop (1927-1960)
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this poem is so special to me because we learned it in my country senegal west africa when we were very young we were forced to memorize it untill it became part of our hearts and yet i never did understandtood it that well untill now. today i read this poem and tears just filled my eyes because this poem make me feel so close to my ancestors who suffered so much just because of the beauty of africa that showed in their skin.
I’m so proud to be an african.
Comment by yacine — May 24, 2005 @ 9:15 pm
Afrique suggests three main purposes including and undoubting sense of pride in African decent, the sorrowful acknowledgement of the suffering of a nation and the anticipation of imperceptible freedom.
“Africa my Africa/Never have I known you/ but my glance is filled with your blood”
Comment by ruthy — June 6, 2005 @ 7:41 pm
i ve studied this poem in the african literature in english and i didnt felt concerned much with it as im from the south of morocco but when i read it in french i felt that the words have gone deeply in to my hearts especially when he talks about slavery but its the way he tried to look for a glance of hope that touched me much.
Comment by ibtissam maohoub — June 21, 2005 @ 12:11 pm
This poem really taught me to love Africa the more. because hope is on ourside and we say a big thank u to David diop for a memmorabel poem he taught us.
Comment by Sait — June 26, 2005 @ 12:08 pm
whenever i read this poem, i thank God 4 keeping me till now bcos i cant imagine what my dear Africans went through. I just feel sorrowful n tears fill my eyes.
Comment by ngozi — January 6, 2006 @ 1:32 pm
whenever i read this poem, i thank God 4 keeping me till now bcos i cant imagine what my dear Africans went through. I just feel sorrowful n tears fill my eyes. Africa my dearest Africa.
Comment by ngozi — January 6, 2006 @ 1:33 pm
This poem fills me with nostalgia, sorrow, regret, guilt and many other things that I am having a tough time expressing.
Like Yacine, I grew up in Senegal and had to memorize “Afrique mon Afrique” without really understanding it fully. It’s only now that I have a deeper sense of what David Diop was trying to convey and my story, the story of a Senegalese who spent most of his life overseas, a Senegalese who has children who never went back to Africa, somewhat resembles that of David. How I wish my kids knew my country!
Comment by Cheikh — January 18, 2006 @ 7:48 am
Diop’s poems are all brilliant, but this one is particularly poignant. It’s actually amazing how prophetic this poem was, especially for its time. Diop is a really exceptional poet and this poem captures the essence of the reason why.
Comment by Amandla — January 19, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
I have spent some time first trying to remember the name of the poet and then the actual name of the poem. First introduced to this poem by my debate coach, the words of this poem have been emblazoned on myheart since then. It has been approximately thirteen years.Recently, I was reciting it while sitting at my desk and complaining that I could no think of the names of the piece or the poet. She promptly picked up her phone, called a friend of hers and in a matter of minutes, found it online and printed it out for me
. I now pass it on to every young literary performer who needs a dynamic piece that will not only captivate the audience, but ensconce them in a bit of truth as well.
Comment by Natasha — February 27, 2006 @ 7:20 pm
I have just experienced the honor of reading David Diop’s poetry. I have always been interested in african history. How we were kings and queens of our beautiful country. But now riddled with humiliation of hunger and aids that the white society caused leaves me in awe and disbelief. But i do believe with knowlege and uniting our our strong black men and women we wll become Africa that was once known.
Comment by sequoya — March 6, 2006 @ 1:30 am
I love this poem, I had to learn this poem in English when I was in school in Lagos but I never forgot it cos I rememmber how nostalgic it used to make all of us feel when we readit Now I live in London and I am trying to get my children to understand their roots and I have spent a long time looking for the words of this poem to teach them. Thank you Mr Diop so much for these beautifull words. I hope to make my children understand what it is to be african and continue to pray for our Arfican leaders to understand this poem and work to make our Africa glorious again
Comment by Bimpe — March 6, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
Thank you for posting this lovely poem.
Comment by Bryan Rowley — May 1, 2006 @ 12:31 am
Oh, I love this poem and it is part of my daily life. reading this poem persuaded me to become my own personal poet poet who writes about my mother land beautiful africa. Africa a land so beautiful with beautiful sculptures and cultures makes me want to read more about it. “AFrique mon Afrique” is truly one of the best poem i have read. i I remember reciting this poem when i was in the first grade in my country! oh Good ttimes!
Comment by Mouhamadou Diaman — July 28, 2006 @ 10:38 pm
the first time i read this poem, i was in 4th grade. imemorized it, but didn’t understand it. a couple years later, it made some sense when read david diop’s bio. i moved to the usa at the age of 16 and and i have a son who has not been to africa yet;now the poem makes perfect sense. i’ve been reading it to my son hoping thatit helps him develop some sense of pride in his african (guinean)heritage.
Comment by ben — October 5, 2006 @ 3:37 am
I am studying this poem and even though i am not african i admire and rejoice this poem, i have read the comments that said that this poem is much more powerfull in french than it is in english, i feel bad that i do not speak french becouse hhis would help me get the true meaning of the poem. In my High school i have to compare this peace with an art work or onather poem refering to the same theme, leopold seadar is a good example if any one is interested in reading it.
Comment by melisa — November 6, 2006 @ 2:21 am
What gets to me is that David died in an air-plane crash, together with a manuscript of unpublished works. What are we missing out on, here?
Comment by Rethabile — December 11, 2006 @ 10:00 am
Africa my Africa is the most beautifull poèm in the world.Diop is a genuis.he died in the flower of age:dommage.
Comment by sakho — December 18, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
Afrique mon Afrique est sans doute le poème le plus glamour écrit pour l’Afrique.Avec David Diop disparessait un des plus brillant poète Africain et surtout un humble fils de l’Afrique hélas trop tôt parti dands les méandres de la mort.
Comment by sakho — December 18, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
Africa my Africa is the most glamour poem writes for Africa.Avec David Diop would die in the flower of age the poets more endowed with his generation and à humble soon of Africa.
Comment by A.D.Sakho — December 20, 2006 @ 10:47 am
This poem is so powerful because it focuses on a new beginning for Africa, instead of an end. I am a French/Spanish teacher and today I will be reciting “Afrique mon Afrique” in front of all the teachers in my school. I hope that it will open eyes and help teachers develop this topic instead of brushing just the surface of it. Slavery is only a path to better enjoy the sweet and sour taste of Freedom. Thanks David Diop…
Comment by Eric — January 10, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
I am so proud of you - I am an African too, and very proud of it!
Comment by Okey Nwachukwu-Udaku — January 29, 2007 @ 7:01 am
I am African American and I pray to visit Mother Africa one day. Then I hope I will not only know how it feels to be an American, but also a little about how it truly feels to be “African.”
Comment by Pointe Coupee — February 3, 2007 @ 7:03 am
this poem celebrates the beauty of Africa before slavery colonialism and the eventual neocolonialism which Africa has continued to suffer from in a most contempteous manner.I am reminded as an African that my great grand fathers were pruod warriors eventhough the Whiteman in his capitalist tendencies of massive acquisition of wealth has dealt a blow on our pride, economy and mentality.
Comment by ndidi sophia — February 5, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
I don’t know where you got your information from but parts of the poem published here are incorrect.
there’s a line missing, and some words might be off. I’m not yelling at you for this but I’d appreciate if you ensured that what you publish as another’s work you check more diligently.
Other than that it is a wonderful poem that inspires me as an African to better represent myself outside my country and continent despite my youth and ignorance.
Comment by Bob Sachet — March 5, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
I still remember this poem as if it was yesterday; I learned when i was in elementary school.Away from Home,where the sun shines every day, i still remember my beloved country, Togo sitting on the west Africa; I miss the land……………
Comment by Fleurette Sepope — March 8, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
A poem wrritten in simple words with emotions,frustrations…nd all mended together!!!!!!!!Being an Indian and the stories heard frm my ancestors even we indians also sufferd a lot in the past….but now we r cemented with a force which no one can again let it loose!!!!!!As David proud to be an African under all stuggles..we too indian are proud to say so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thnas u David sir for letting me find out the proud i have in my blood to be an Indian!!!!!!!!!
Comment by febin shams — March 10, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Comment by gLadys — March 11, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
reading this poem left a great impact on me.im african but im not black.still i believe that im an african women i dont know why.reading this poem made me think about many things.why this world is full of people who are filling their heart of hate ,prejudice and racism.why are they spending their time hating others?why dont we see the positive aspects rather then the negative ones.blacks are like white in many things.blacks eat sleep and read.they play tennis football and online games…i have eyes and a black have also eyes .i have nose and black has also nose…..i dont know why white were busing blacks i dont know why?colour is nothing ,its doesnt mean anything to be black or white or…what it means most is what each person did and what they left behind them
Comment by amal — March 31, 2007 @ 1:02 am
This is my assignment for my English 26, Afro-Asian Literature class. Literature is the best subject, for it makes a person humane by reading other people’s experiences, struggles and victories in life. For more than 300 years, the Philippines was colonized by Spain and like the Africans, Filipino people that time experienced how it is like to be a slave in their own country. But thanks to the Filipino and African Heroes, our generation is tasting how sweet it is to be free.
Comment by Lynn Holly, Philipines — June 26, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Just like some previous commentators i also, growin up in Senegal memorized this poem at an early age. As a matter of fact it’s the same poem i recited during examination from primary to secondary school at the age of 11. But i honestly never really knew the meaning of it till now. Eventhough the translation isn’t a 100 percent accurate, i still give it up to y’all and David Diop. Arise Africa.
Comment by Elhadji M. Sambe — August 29, 2007 @ 4:43 am
I really enjoy reading this poem because it is heart touching and very simple in terms of diction though its sense is a little dense
Comment by Mabel — September 17, 2007 @ 10:43 am
This poem…..This poem…..This poem……U don’t know what it does to me, I read this poem in my secondary school days, with so much emotions. With so much pride in me and so much love in my bones. This is a poem that my kids must recite, a poem that must hang from the walls of my home. All hail David Diop! All hail Africa!! The land of my mothers! The land of ancestors!! The land of my bones!!!
Comment by Fatima JOhnson — September 18, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
al vista nore gum. the is the best of all poems i have read. it touches my heart, soul and sprit to read it. it reassures me of my true self. thanx to u diop
Comment by drencks — November 29, 2007 @ 8:56 am
Diop’s Africa has haunted and invaded my mind for nearly two decades, when, as a teenage, I first glanced on, what has become for me over these years, the most melancholic, and yet, one of the most comforting poetic compositions. As has happened many a night before, I woke up tonight with Diop’s Africa in my head, and Africa’s melodies in my heart. So, even though I forage in a foreign land, fondling foreign ways, Africa will remain the beautiful land of my birth.
Comment by Okey Nwachukwu-Udaku — January 19, 2008 @ 7:52 am
Diop’s Africa has haunted and invaded my mind for nearly two decades, when, as a teenager, I first glanced on, what has become for me over these years, the most melancholic, and yet, one of the most comforting poetic compositions. As has happened many a night before, I woke up tonight with Diop’s Africa in my head, and Africa’s melodies in my heart. So, even though I forage in a foreign land, fondling foreign ways, Africa will remain the beautiful land of my birth.
Comment by Okey Nwachukwu-Udaku — January 19, 2008 @ 7:55 am
It’s impossible for a white person(unless she/he has been enslaved and deprived of her/his culture) to understand the African soul. Five years ago (in my seventies) I suddenly realised that black people are a lot more than Africans. Africa is a continent with 5 dinstinctive regions, 54 countries,900,000,000 people, 1,000 languages.You can correct the numbers. I know a little bit of Nelson Mandela and South Africa. What do I know of the rest of the continent. What do I know of the ravages of colonialism? Each African I meet has a country, a language, a culture,an individual soul, even if born in Canada. Do I wish to know the pain of their country then and now? Do I wish to know more than what I see. It’s hard to absorb unless we become friends and reach for each other’s differences. Unless I see more than a map, and the colour of a vast continent.
I think it can be done only one by one, after establishing trust and willingness. With a sad regret that the colour of my skin works againts me.
Comment by Claudia in Toronto — January 19, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
my college instructor told us to make an academic essay and the question is “interpret the way of life, cultures, aspirations of people from the literary piece that they produced and i choose David Diop with his poem “Africa”…this poem resembles great longing for independency and feedom…to be free of colonialism from different colonializers…this is an awesome piece by David Diop…
Comment by klar_maesen — January 29, 2008 @ 4:26 am
how does “Qui dit oui au fouet sur les routes de midi” translate to “And saying no to the whip under the midday sun”? Literally, the no in the latter of the two should be yes and I see no other interpretation. Please explain…
Comment by Alex — February 4, 2008 @ 4:17 am
As a school boy in Cameroon, I had to memorize and recite David Diop’s poem in French. I love it so much. I think it is a masterpiece. The English translation you have is very misleading. The reader in English will not really grasp the beauty of this poem through your translation.
Comment by Parfait — February 25, 2008 @ 12:34 am
this is a nice poem by David Diop about Africa, this is our last topic in Our English Subject .. nice !! =)
Comment by danA — March 3, 2008 @ 11:25 am
During the selection of a poem to present at the international community of the International House in New York, USA, with over a hundred nationals; I explored the entire repertoire of rich African poetry and guess what? “Africa My Africa” clicked rightly as one of the most famous, in its rich blend of African history and cultural lines & stanzas. It is almost more descriptive of true Africa than any modern art can portray.
Comment by Dr. Fergus A. Ambe — April 14, 2008 @ 5:17 am
Like many of you I was taught this poem as a schoolboy. Did I understand it then? yes only partially when the teacher told us the author’s personal tragic story. In my view this poem is one of the most important history lessons for those interested in Africa.
The words and the symbolism in this poem are simple but very powerful at the same time. This poem is a childhood dream, that of the author who felt deeply African in his soul yet very distant as he “never knew Africa”. He never set foot on African soil, but he did know all about the humiliation” slavery, colonisation” suffered by Africa thanks to his grand mother. The title of the poem depicts a tie between a child and its mother” Afrique , mon Afrique” through the possessive pronoun. The Africa narrated to the author by his grand mother was a bliss of nature itself soiled by sufferings inflicted by others. This contrast of beauty and horror is everywhere in the poetry. The landscape of Africa made of rivers, savannah is none other than a kind of heavenly place, yet there is blood, and this blood is dark. A healthy blood is red, while a poisoned one is thick and dark ” ton beau sang noir” . The blood is described as beautiful but it is sadly dark. Yes Africa is the dark continent by the colour of its inhabitants but Diop finds it beautiful and it has been darkened by force labour under the whip. In its form this poem is about juxtaposing contrasting realities, in its first movement ” beau, fleuve lointain, savane ancestrale, travail de ta sueure, ” are the splendid side of Africa tarnished by sang noir, esclavage, dos courbe”.
However the most important message of the poem is that Africa MUST break way from its apparent resignation to suffering. The tone here is high, it is grave ” alors gravement une voix me dit”. The voice referred to here is none other than his conscience that tells him to rebel against the acceptance of the whip ” le dos qui dit oui au fouet”. Yes Africa must push away ” repousse” vigourously with persistence despite the hurdles on the way to taste the flavour of freedom. Here again the apparent contradiction between “amere” sour and “saveure de liberte” re-enforces the conviction that nothing deer comes without its price, the struggle.
For those who see this poem as a hope message , I say yes but it is more about breaking away from bondage. Remember this poem is a tribute to Africa and a negritude poem, it is an anthem of struggle by an African whose dream of seeing Africa with his own eyes never came true, but He never felt any less of an African.
Today as an African who left the continent 15 years ago, I also dream of this idealistic Africa of green landscape, rivers and savannahs. My son has yet been to Africa but it my hope that he will cherish that part of him, even if he is half European. Nearly twenty thirty years on , I can now say ” Yes brother Diop, I feel the same as you did” but unlike him, I have been a bit luckier, I was born in Cote d’Ivoire.
God bless Africans and their brothers from other parts of the World.
Anzmana Diabate
Comment by Anzmana Diabate — April 21, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
This poem is the dearest to my heart. It takes me back to high school in Africa/Guinea. I am so proud to be African, so proud of our humility and all I wish is to inject the entire continent with confident and positive energy. I wish one day I will be able to do so
Best poem ever!
Comment by Fatou — May 29, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
I have also read this poem several times and considered it a passionate cry for recognition and freedom from alienation by the author who himself barely knew Africa. However there is another one which strikes me more as an attempt to freedom from alienation by another poet whose name I just can’t remember. The title of this poem is “Hoquets”. Can anyone out there refresh me on this? Thanks.
Comment by Karl — June 15, 2008 @ 6:45 am
i love this poem….it touched my heart…i’m just a 2nd year high school student of Fellowship Baptist School and i love this!!!!:p
Comment by Agape Love — June 18, 2008 @ 10:51 am
I read David Diop’s poem about 25 years ago as a secodary school student in Cameroon. We were made to memorize both the English and the French version and I tell you it was great, although, I must confess, the total meaning of the poem was not completely evident to me.
I don’t know what happenned but somehow, just yesterday, right here in the USA, I felt a longing passion to go back search out David Diop’s poem “AFrica”. I could still recite some parts of the poem (both the French and English version) but I needed to get it right again! Alas, as I searched the internet, I found this great work, where both versions have been placed side by side.
God Bless you for this…I am going back to memorize and internalize this great master piece again…Sure it is gonna make me feel good and maybe start really reflecting on who am I…An African…Yes, A true African.
God Bless Africa………
Comment by Okechukwu — July 11, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
I cannot believe that my Mother Elaine of blessed memory was a Thomas Hardy, Yates and John Pepper Clark addict yet I always hated literature. So much so, that I had to appeal to her NOT to study it at O’Levels and beyond. Until my 11 year old came home one day with this poem asking me about OXYMORONS, COUPLETS every other “poetic device” you can mention. I had to google this poem and even ask for the examples on the net just to help my precious baby pass his poetry exam at age 11! What a disgrace for me not to have known such a great poet and now today I came back for it to add to my Business Strategy Meeting Write up about my role in the African market and my recommendations for budget year 2009. I receited the end part of the poem and stated that “Africa had just burst its borders” on the economic, financial and technological scene. It was however to be a “bitter taste of liberty” as we must have the infrastructure and implementation skills to handle its “springing forth”. I must however thank you Madame la Blogger in Paris for this and hope that another poet of such depth can truly rise up out of the “banks of the distant river”
Comment by FairWoode at McCarthy Hill — August 1, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
Hi
I am student from India. I started liking and respecting Africa after I read this poem. The poem seeks to both inspire and make me think. It’s amazing how much one poem can change one’s perspective.
Comment by Ranga — September 4, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
i really love this poem even though i admit i don’t understand some parts of it. . . . after i had read this poem i realized that people no matter if they are black or white deserved to gain respect from others. . . i don’t know why in the world there are people who spend their time criticizing other because of their faults and outside appearance instead of correcting or appreciating what is good in them. . . . David Diop only proves he’s not ashamed to be an African no matter what other tell him. .
Comment by zairon23 — September 23, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
I HAVE READ THIS MASTER PIECE TIME WITHOUT NUMBER AND I MUST SAY THAT I AM ALWAYS IN ECSTASY. I AM PROUDER THAN EVER TO BE AN AFRICAN(GHANAIAN).THE MISTAKE THAT THE WHITES DID WAS TO EDUCATE THE BLACK MAN.THE BLACK MAN IS MORE THAN READY TO MANAGE HIS OWN AFFAIRS.WE BELIEVE IN THE CAN-DO-SPIRIT. LONG LIVE AFRICA.VIVA MON AFRIQUE.
Comment by Edith yeboah — November 7, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
This poem is overflowing with nationalism and love for ones country. Just goes to show that nationalism still exists. Which makes me really happy, because nationalism is something every country needs. It’s like the key to success, because if you have this passion for your country you’d be willing to see it succeed and grow at any cost. Just like a hero. Being nationalistic is like being a hero. Which is exactly what David Diop is to Africa because of this poem.
Im not African or anything but this poem really inspires me to love my own country more. I remember reading this during english time. My teacher called me to read it in front, she told me to read the poem changing the words ‘Africa’ to ‘Philippines’, my country. Saying Philippines again and again made me proud. This poem is just really amazing. And im glad that we took this up during english time:D
Comment by Dan Aragon — November 9, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
Well I dont know what to say about this poem!!! I was born in Senegal.Like what these people say they force me to memorize it until it become a part of me heart. I LOVE IT!!!
Anyway if there is anyone who knows where to find the peom of the death of David Diop ( la mort de david diop) by his friend Birago Diop please let me know.
My email is awa.niangAThotmail.com thank you!!!
Comment by Awa Niang — November 29, 2008 @ 4:42 am