Egungun Festival Togo, Africa
Long have me feet walked..bare upon de earth of mother Afreeca.
Days, passing in a flow’r chain round de brow of de morn.
De sacred drum calls wid de heart beattin of de Hougan’s soul
Afreeca’s soul ...
Long, long, de walkin from village mounta’n citie
to the hounfour ... de temple of de people.
We walk joy’us, and penit’nt and pleadin‘.
Mama carries de food gift fer Ogou Balanjo on her head,
corn meal she ‘as ground fine. "Ah, de poor sick child"
De glass beads aroun‘ Mama’s neck shine
like her tears in de sun an de sweat on her skin.
We ‘ear de rattlin‘ and de drummin.
Dust of de many feet rises.
'undreds and thousands of worshipers pack de square
in front of de temple and dance red, gold, orange swirl
honorin‘ our parents and der parents.
Long, long, we dance, we dance, and de Loa arrive ...
Mama falls possessed by Ogou Balanjo ...
De white robes of de pure at heart, and does wid de white faces
dance de prayers, de priests returns from de sacred grove
white rock, egg white of wealth and happiness
de year will be good ... de sick child will heal ...
Long, long, the world has spun in a daisy chain
Around de sun............
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