Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Funk" by Henry Dumas is a strikingly concise yet potent poem that draws deeply on African spiritual traditions and the origins of identity. Through its brief lines, the poem connects the creation of the self with the divine and the ancestral, encapsulating themes of cultural heritage and spiritual genesis in a vivid metaphor.

The poem begins with a powerful image: "The great god Shango in the African sea." Shango, a deity from the Yoruba religion, is traditionally associated with thunder, lightning, and fire, but here he is depicted in an expansive, primordial role, connected to the sea. This setting not only broadens the usual domain associated with Shango but also ties him to a symbolically rich landscape—the sea, often seen as the origin of life and a conduit of spiritual passage, especially in the context of the African diaspora.

The act described in the poem, "reached down with palm oil and oozed out me," is packed with symbolic resonance. Palm oil, a substance rich in history and utility in West Africa, is used here as a divine instrument. Its use in various African rituals for protection, consecration, and healing highlights its significance as a sacred medium. In this context, the palm oil becomes a conduit through which Shango crafts or brings forth the speaker, suggesting a creation that is both nurtured and sanctified by these rich, traditional elements.

The choice of the verb "oozed" is particularly evocative, suggesting a slow, deliberate emergence into being. This word choice emphasizes the organic and interconnected nature of creation as envisioned in the poem, portraying the speaker's coming into existence as a natural and somewhat mystical process—infused with the spiritual and cultural essence carried by palm oil.

Stylistically, Dumas's use of sparse language and vivid imagery creates a dense layer of meaning in a very compact form. The poem’s brevity mirrors the sudden and profound emergence of life and identity it describes, while its rhythmic and imagistic quality evokes the oral traditions of African storytelling.

Overall, "Funk" by Henry Dumas is a deeply symbolic poem that uses the metaphor of divine creation to explore themes of identity, heritage, and spiritual connection. By invoking Shango and the elements of African spiritual practice, Dumas connects the reader to a cultural lineage that is both ancient and enduring, highlighting the profound connections between identity, spirituality, and cultural roots. The poem is a celebration of African heritage and the continuous influence of its spiritual traditions on the identities of its people.

POEM TEXT: https://www.afropoets.net/henrydumas3.html

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