Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Rite" by Henry Dumas is a poem steeped in the rich imagery and symbolism of African spirituality, conjuring an intense scene of ritual and invocation. This poem intricately blends elements of African religious practices with themes of power, purity, and transformation, using a vivid, almost visceral language that captures the reader's imagination.

The poem opens with a powerful depiction of a figure adorned with symbolic colors and elements: "Vodu green clinching his waist, / obi purple ringing his neck," immediately setting a scene of ritual significance. The colors green and purple are traditionally associated with healing, spirituality, and royalty within various African diasporic traditions. Vodu, or Voodoo, often viewed through a lens of misunderstanding, is portrayed here with a sense of deep reverence and intrinsic power. The mention of "Shango," a deity from Yoruba religion known as the god of thunder and lightning, further roots the poem in a context of African spirituality. Shango's presence in the poem as one whispering in the ear of the protagonist suggests divine communication and guidance, emphasizing the sacredness of the unfolding ritual.

As the poem progresses, the imagery intensifies: "thunderlight stabbing the island / of blood rising from his skull." This metaphor not only visualizes a sudden and vivid burst of enlightenment or revelation but also ties the spiritual transformation directly to the physical body, suggesting a visceral, almost painful, birth of insight or power.

"Mojo bone in his fist / strikes the sun from his eye. / Iron claw makes his wrist." These lines evoke a sense of gaining strength and supernatural power, with "mojo," another term deeply embedded in African American folk belief, symbolizing magical influence or charm. The physicality in the imagery — striking the sun, an iron claw — suggests a transformation that endows the individual with extraordinary capabilities, mirrored by the spiritual markings: "He recalls the rites of strength / carved upon his chest."

The recurring command to "Strike" in the poem—striking the island, the sun, the eye of evil, and the guilty one—serves as a call to action against oppression, injustice, or perhaps internal demons. This chant-like repetition of "Strike" amplifies the poem’s intensity, urging an almost cathartic release of power.

Towards the conclusion, the poem circles back to its spiritual elements: "No power can stay the mojo / when the obi is purple / and the vodu is green / and Shango is whispering, / Bathe me in blood. / I am not clean." This ending is a stark invocation for purification, a common theme in many spiritual practices where blood symbolizes cleansing and renewal. The plea to be bathed in blood, coupled with Shango’s whisper, highlights a yearning for spiritual cleansing and rebirth.

Overall, "Rite" by Henry Dumas is a profound exploration of African spiritual practices and their powerful symbolic significance. Through intense imagery and rhythmic repetition, Dumas not only portrays a scene of ritualistic power but also connects it to broader themes of struggle, empowerment, and purification. The poem is a rich testament to the enduring influence of African spirituality in the diaspora, celebrating its depth and transformative potency.

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