>> Sarah Baluta: My
name is Sarah Baluta.
I'm from Lewisville, Texas,
and I'm a graduate student
at the University of
North Texas letting
to give a master's
degree in library science.
This summer, I'm working
with the African section
of the African and
Middle Eastern Division
on the Uncovering Poetry and
African Languages Project.
Overall, the project involves
combing through sources
on poetic practices across
sub-Saharan African cultures.
Articles and book chapters on
African poetry paint an image
of the values of diverse
peoples, celebrations
of personal milestones,
religious rituals,
honoring influential
historical figures,
or just recounting
everyday instances.
As made evident in my research,
these practices are oral
traditions that make use
of music and dance
along with speech.
The Bemba and Ngoni performance
combines drumming, dancing
and singing to weave
informative tales.
It's common for initiation
songs, chisungu,
or different forms
of praise poetry
to incorporate the
drum poetry rituals,
as it makes the stories
more engaging for audiences.
Performers range from
the elderly to the young,
providing both men and women
with an opportunity to speak
on topics near and dear to them.
For the Ngoni of Malawi,
war songs are an
important form of poetry.
Two songs are paired together
to create a whole ceremony.
As warriors go off the fight,
the village comes together
to dance and sing imigubo songs,
giving the warriors a
much-needed energy boost.
Returning from battle, the
warriors, along with the rest
of the village, sing
imigubo songs
to mark the end of
the expedition.
Symbols of battle, shields
and spears, are transformed
into musical instruments as
they keep tempo with the drums.
An example of poetry dedicated
to everyday moments comes
from the Mundari
tribe of South Sudan.
Citid songs are sung
when planting rice.
This example takes note
of an incoming storm
that was interrupting the
hard work of planters.
It may not have the
extravagance associated
with previously mentioned
poems, but it shows
that even the mundane can
and should be acknowledged
and even celebrated.
Bemba, Ngoni, and Mundari are
just three out of thousands
of African cultures that expand
on basic notions of poetry.
The oral traditions examined
throughout this project include
lyrics, chants, riddles,
prayers,
blessings, and so much more.
Most importantly, [inaudible]
that poetry is still used
to bring communities together
generation after generation.
I'd like to thank the Library
of Congress, the African
and Middle Eastern
Division, and the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln
for providing me
with the opportunity to work
on a project that aligns
with my personal and
professional interest,
and further connects me
to my family's heritage.