Answer:
The poem "The Grieved Lands of Africa" by Agostinho Neto is a poem that addresses the traumatic impact of servitude in Africa. The poem conveys issues of African sensibilities that underlie the African experience from slavery to colonialism. Some of the themes of the poem are: •
Slavery and colonialism: The poet grieves over the ancient and modern slave experiences in the lands of Africa, bemoaning the untold sufferings, loss of lives, assets and the cultural heritage of the peoples of Africa sacrificed on the bloody altar of western colonialism. He also criticizes the wickedness of iron and fire (modernization) that crushed the stunning perfume of the flower (the beauty and resources of Africa) in the forest.•
Grief and lamentation: The poet repeats the phrase "the grieved lands of Africa" throughout the poem to emphasize the sorrow and pain that Africa has endured. He also uses words such as "tearful", "degrading", "infamous", "stifled", "laments", and "putrid" to convey the negative emotions and conditions that Africa has faced. • Hope and optimism: Despite the grief and lamentation, the poet also expresses hope and optimism for Africa's future. He asserts that Africa and Africans are alive, in themselves and with us, and they bubble up in dreams. He also celebrates the harmony of conscience, the honest blood of men, the strong desire of men, and the pure and simple rightness of the star's existence that live in Africa. He concludes by affirming that we are living and are imperishable particles of the grieved land of Africa. •
Life and nature: The poet also depicts the life and nature that exist in Africa, despite the oppression and exploitation. He uses images such as baobabs, antelopes, dances, sounds, rivers, and stars to illustrate the richness and diversity of African culture and environment. He also emphasizes the perpetual alliance of everything that lives in Africa, suggesting a sense of unity and harmony among all living beings.