The poem touches upon centuries of struggle faced by many nations in sub-Saharan Africa since the dawn of the trans-Atlantic and trans-Saharan slave trades, through the troubled period since independence from colonialists, up until this new era in the continent's history. Here's the poem:
A POET SPEAKS OF EMPIRE
From the depths of a frightening bottom
arises the promise of heights only imagined
by history. Mansa Musa[1] could not
dream of the hopes for tomorrow.
From the horrors of a beleaguered past
besmeared with the sale of an aging dynasty
Now compelled by the grip of an ancient
longing, a rising bourgeoisie breathes free.
New and constant inhalations catch the
scent of a budding era, fresh on the heels
of broken beginnings.
Arise, oh great continent, arise!
A new age beckons your voice,
your voyage.
Arise village, arise nation, arise continent!
Children seek their inheritance. A
grand past makes this generation
eager for a magnificent future, bearing
fruit to feed a multitude:
electrifying shanty grids,
irrigating drought-wrought farms,
transporting goods and services,
delivering to markets beyond the
horizon.
Rise to the moment ancient griot,[4]
storied marabout,[5] revolutionary
warrior, rich farmer! Bring your alms,
your drums, your ghosts and your songs;
the children of today must carry on
traditions older than time, ripe as the sea.
The reference to Mansa Musa is important here. In the 13th century, long before the international slave trade, ancient Mali was renowned as a world cultural and financial center. Timbuktu was an undeniable force in the trade of salt, silk and local slaves at the height of empire.
During a period of decline, beginning in the 17th century, African slave traders began selling Africans (who were already slaves or prisoners of war) to the Portuguese, the British, the Spanish, the Americans and others. The business was extremely lucrative and many African ethnic groups benefited enormously from the trade.
The sale of slaves was not exclusive to the West; Arabs also had a need for free labor. It is estimated that 30 million people (many of whom perished) were exported across the Atlantic, the Sahara, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean into ports across the world.
From a strictly economic standpoint, this was a huge blow to human resources and human capital in sub-Saharan Africa. Imagine, such an enormous number of strong, young Africans, in the prime of their lives, being sold at auction to the highest bidder. Although many ethnic groups benefited financially, the long-term impact on local economies was marked and lasted for generations. To some historians, the enormous export of human capital, in small part, explains centuries of poor economic performance in sub-Saharan Africa. Populations are just being restored today, which may be an element in explaining recent economic gains.
The major question which the poem cited above and the book, in general, address is the question of empire. History has witnessed the rise and fall of empire since the beginning of time. With at least five of the world's fastest growing economies now in sub-Saharan Africa, supported by new trade and investment from emerging market countries in the global South, including Brazil, India and China, the continent's rise to power, economically and otherwise seems highly probable. The economic crisis of 2008 was a watershed moment in economic history for the West. However, it revealed the prowess of emerging market economies across the global South. Many of these nations remained little affected by the crisis and were even witness to growth. Time will tell if the developing world will continue to emerge and if empire will shift to the global South.
