Funom Makama Poet Ode

Notes About The Poem

This is an Ode about Angola. Oil and Diamonds are its primary sources of income (line 11), but was colonized by the Portuguese (line 12). The name Angola is derived from the word “ngola”, a title for Kings used in the state of Ndongo during the early centuries (lines 1-2). Angola’s currency is the Kwanza and it cannot be taken outside the country (line 4).  Photographing government buildings, military sites and such other structures is illegal and liable to penalties (lines 8-9).

Land of the Kings

A name reflective of its traditional kingship
is its identity, showcasing a cultural strength and heritage.
A huge trader with an Asian giant
is this land upholding the Kwanza like the Indian respect to its Rupee.

Indifference is shown to the culture of tipping;
substances like cigarettes can stand as replacement to cash.
The semba is a mother influence to many others like the samba of Brazil
and it has a zero tolerance approach 
towards its public structures and security zones.

It is an epitome of the continent’s blessing in wealth and resources
this land shakes hands with the black diamonds from beneath
but once bowed its head to the rule of the Portuguese.
Now standing as free as a large open space,
yet still humiliated by the shackles of the African curse.

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