Songs Of The Kindred Poem by Anyim Mobuchi Noble

What is this thing I hear?
Are those the sound of drums -
The blood-stirring okongwu?
Ana m anu: I hear you!

Slowly, I beat my feet,
And the anklets rattle.
The kalari on my waist,
They go mad with rhythm.

I salute the oja,
I praise the ogene.
I honour the never-ending rites;
The rising of the kindred.

Sing them to me again,
All the songs of old.
Teach the little ones,
Till they know who we are.