Talking Drums A Selection of Poems From Africa South of The Sahara Tadjo Veronique

Grade 5 Up-In an informative preface, Tadjo points out that in African history, white colonials are not the only oppressors and that some of the poets included here, such as Nigerians Christopher Okigbo and Ken Saro-Wiwa, were killed by their own governments. The 75 selections are divided into 7 sections dealing with nature, animals, love, people and how they see their lives, death, cultural pride, and reactions to the turmoil currently found in many African countries. The final chapter will prompt many students to think about such important issues as racial diversity, leaving the country or place one knows, and not being seen for one's true self.