I share with you a poem by the late Congolese writer Tchicaya U Tam’si, “Vos yeux prophétisent une douleur”/”Your Eyes Prophesy a Pain.” Gérald-Félix Tchicaya is mostly known by his pseudonym Tchicaya U Tam’si, where U Tam’si means ‘the one who speaks for his country‘. Born in Mpili in the former French Congo (Republic of Congo), he was a poet, journalist, and an activist. He is considered by many as one of the greatest poets of his generation.
U Tam’si’s poetry uses symbolism, dark humor, and surrealist, corporeal imagery to explore cultural identity in a politically unstable society. A member of the Congolese independence movement, a friend of Patrice Lumumba, U Tam’si creates work on the nature of African identity that is sometimes connected to Aimé Césaire’s Negritude movement, which advocated for the protection of a distinct African culture in the face of French colonialism and European exploitation.
To me, the pain U Tam’si talks about in this poem is that of slavery, of colonialism, of neo-colonialism, of tribalism. He talks as if he was in the 1600s, during slavery times, and predicting more pain. What do you think? What pain is U Tam’si talking about? The original poem was published in Anthologie Africaine: Poésie Vol2, Jacques Chevrier, Collection Monde Noir Poche, 1988; the English translation is brought to you by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com.
| Vos yeux prophétisent une douleur…
Comme trois terrils, trois collines de cendres! Mais dites-moi de qui sont ces cendres? La mer obéissait déjà aux seuls négriers Des négres s’y laissaient prendre Malgré les sortilèges de leurs sourires On sonnait le tocsin A coups de pied au ventre De passantes enceintes: Il y a un couvre-feu pour faisander leur agonie Les feux de brousse surtout donnent de mauvais rêves Quant à moi Quel crime commettrais-je ? Si je violais la lune Les ressusciterais-je ? Quelle douleur prophétisent vos yeux ? |
Your eyes prophesy a pain … As three heaps, three hills of ashes! But tell me, from whom are those ashes? The sea already obeyed only the slave ships Niggers were being captured Despite the spells of their smiles The tocsin was sounded Through kicks in the belly Of pregnant passers-by: There is a curfew to intensify their agony Bushfires especially give nightmares As for me What crime would I commit? If I raped the moon Will I resuscitate them? What pain do your eyes prophesy? |
African Heritage 
Thank you for introducing me to this poet. The imagery and metaphors were intense. It was like I was transported centuries ago witnessing the cruelty done to my ancestors.
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Yes… the imagery is very powerful!
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Of course. The words were just that effective.
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