Joanne R. Pompano
Objective: To create and perform a praise poem
Goals: Students will:
1. research and study the history and use of praise poems
2. read and listen to various praise poems
3. discuss the various components that make up praise poems
4. compose a praise poem that will describe their heritage, unique qualities, and emotions.
African Praise Songs: African names carry the stories of the individual. They describe who you are, where you came from, and what events have been important in your life. You have a "name" so others can "know" you. Praise poems are special chants that are recited to identify your family, your community, your ancestors, your place in society as well as other characteristics and circumstances that are important to you. In a lifetime, a person may acquire many "praise names." Individuals create naming songs to tell their story and recount their lineage by chanting the names of living and dead ancestors in their family or clan.
Resources
:
Gift
of the Tortoise: A Musical Journey through Southern Africa
, Music for Little People-Warner Brothers, 1994, (Track 12, time: 2:15)
Gleason, Judith, ed.
Leaf and Bone: African Praise-Poems.
New York, Penguin, 1994
Method:
Instructions to student: Your poem will include 5 lines. These are examples you may use.
Line 1: Name: (Note: Your name may be sometimes that describes you or makes you standout as an individual such as height, talent, or any thing that "names" or describes who you.
Your words should give others a clear picture of you. Reveal those aspects that you are comfortable in revealing.)
Line 2: The meaning of your name
Line 3: Interesting events about your birth
Line 4: Your heritage
Line 5: A personal fact or description of you physically that makes you stand out such as a hair style
Create a "call and response" phrase that will be repeated by the class at the appropriate times in your poem.
You can add music, rhythms, or props.
Example: Anna (name)
Birth with the snow (in January)
Long, long hair (physical feature)
Morning darkness, evening darkness, always, always (blind)
Dancing, dancing (favorite activity)
