“Africa,” a poem by French-African poet David Diop, paints a complete picture of Africa, including its pre-colonial glory and colonial suffering as the nation traversed a difficult journey through time and evolution.
The poem expresses a hope; a hope for a post-colonial Africa that can spring beautifully like a flower after finally being freed from the heavy, corroded chains of oppression. Diop regularly contributed to the Négritude literary movement.
His poems, like “Africa,” also known as “Africa my Africa,” are considered a piece of protest against the oppressive French colonial rule.
He supported the African liberation movements and had empathy for all his fellow brothers and sisters fighting for freedom.
His emotions related to the freedom and independence of Africa are what he explores in this poem.
