Black Woman
Leopold Sedhar Senghor (1906-2001) was a famous Senegalese poet, teacher and a statesman. He was a politician and a cultural theorist. he served as the first president of Senegal and also continued to be a social activist. Senghor worked for the Negritude movement.
Negritude: is a literary movement of 1930 that began among the French speaking African and Caribbean writers living in Paris as a protest against the French colonial rule. This was initially introduced (coined the term)by Aime Cesair. This movement worked on "the simple acknowledgement and acceptance of the fact of being black." It focused on making the value of the African people manifest. Senghor became the central figure of this movement.
The poem was written initially in French under the title 'Femme Noir' and was translated into English. The poem was written when Senghor and was published in 1945. the poem reinforces the idea of negritude by praising Africa and finding beauty in the colour of Africa(black).
The poet begins by addressing the black woman. Here, Africa is personified as the black woman. The poet says the true beauty lies in her natural self. her colour is life and the natural form is as beautiful as it is and hence the 'naked woman, black woman.' This black woman is the representation of Africa and the poet is proud of her beauty. Africa's beauty is synonymous to the blackness.
In the following stanza Africa is equated to a mother. The poet says that he has grown up in the shadow of its culture and heritage. And, like the mother's gentleness Africa was always gentle and protected him. He feels that even at the heart of summer and noon he would come to the 'Promised Land'. This is a biblical reference to the land Canaan, where milk and honey flowed. Similarly, the poet feels that Africa is his promised land filled with fruits and wine.
The poet, then compares Africa to a lover, suggesting two lovers kissing each other. 'Shudder', 'caress' has sexual connotations, just like the lovers finding joy and beauty in each other, the poet is in love with Africa and finds joy and solace in this 'Promised Land'.
Then the poet moves on to say that just like seductive woman enjoying the caresses of her lover, the Savannahs are stretching to the horizon and embracing the East wind. Africa is a desirable woman and no longer a slave.
Africa is symbolized to the tom toms (to the drums) suggestive of the angry muttering of the native over their 'Conquerors fingers'. African song is low ('contralto') and solemn because of the colonizers conquering their nation. Even through this oppression, she sings for her beloved. The poet sing praises to his mother land. the new music that they beat will be a spiritual anthem to inspire, act and resist.
The poet then compares Africa to a Princess, comparing the flawless skin to her elegance and beauty. the poet at this point is mesmerized by her beauty and finds her the ultimate source of solace. Her eyes protect her from troubles and his troubles are lightened by the warmth of her glance.
he ends the poet on a philosophical note. he would like to keep alive the beauty of the African woman or his land eternally in his poetry. he perpetuates the transient beauty permanently in his poetry. Before she's turned to ashes the poet would like to immortalize her beauty in his song. the poet wants to sings praises for the black woman and make known her value. love for his homeland is personified through this beautiful black woman. Very interestingly, the poem projects the colour of the skin. to showcase beauty at its natural self. Senghor takes pride in being an African thus reinforcing the idea of negritude.
Literary Devices used:
Apostrophe : addresses to the black woman
Metaphor: black woman- Africa
Symbol: skin, death, drums
Simile: 'like the flash of an eagle'
Allusion: Savannah
Personification: jealous fate, eager caresses,
Alliteration: tom tom, firm flesh fruit, mouth making mouth, savannah stretching
Prepared by:
Dr. Susan Mathew
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