Trokosi Vestal Virgins Poem by Dela Bobobee

Along the lush green banks of the Volta
where the blue sea kisses the river daily
granting free passage to nomadic fishes
who traverse salt and fresh water deeps
to spurn freely at where the ripple is cool

vestal virgins drudge in veiled shrines
made captives by tardy ignoble mores
to inflict mortal norms on the unwary
hapless to nurse scars without wounds
and made to atone for unknown wrongs

along the shores of the quiet river I heard
a mournful cry of a vestal virgin in labour
bewildered I asked, “ What is the matter?
who made you so pregnant at so tender? '
soulfully she answered, “ I was told that
my great-grandmother stole an earring
that belonged to a Trokosi in the market
all my kinsmen died so Iittle was I until
wedded to the gods to stop the carnage
to atone for the sins of my grandmother
Please stay clear for I am a Mamma
forever wedded to the gods only
I must never commune with you or else
you be smeared with the plaque to give
another virgin to replace me to the gods”
“who, what gods? ” I asked in indignation
she replied, “ the gods of our forefathers”

the gods are wise but hearken to me now
O ye gods of our forefathers of old!
'why allow your wisdom tainted in misuse?
why choose priests that speak at variance
your age old sacraments to instill order?
what crime has this little child committed?
what wrongs now do you angst so to right?
is this really your deterrent or silly whims
sowed vilely by your incited greedy priests
to devour, ravish, taint, main in your name?
charged thee now I to speak for yourselves
clear blurred edges of purpose in prejudice


Written by
Dela Bobobee©

Dedication: I dedicate this poem to all victims of discrimination, segregation, servitude, stigma and ridicule. A particular reference is made in this poem to decry the Trokosi vestal virgin syndrome, a fetish which unfortunately still persists even up to today in some areas among the Ewe tribes of the Volta Region of Ghana. Why should man be born free but everywhere seen in chains wrought by societal evil machinations? Everything in me rejects all ignoble forms of cast systems as anarchronistic traditions. It is indeed high time we jettison some unpleasant norms as sour spots on the conscience of our society. I also wish to show my profound appreciation to all the NGOs and other benevolent entities who are still fighting relentlessly to eradicate this exploitative tradition.- Dela