The Theme of Male Chauvinism in African Traditional Poem - Give Me the Minstrel's Seat
Give Me the Minstrel's Seat is a popular traditional African poem that originates from the Swahili people living in modern day Kenya. Therefore, the poem cannot be attributed to any particular author except that it was translated into English by only-God-knows-who.
Basically, the poem discusses the importance of companionship in human life, how a person who has companions is better than one who lives a solitary life. The poem further states that the troubles of life can easily be overcome when a person has good friends. Here are powerful lines from the poem:
As man goes through life soon he is pierced by the thorn, or the sand-mote enters his eye and he needs a friend to remove it.
However, having originated from a patriarchal society, it appears that the poem Give Me a Minstrel's Seat has some elements of male chauvinism embedded in it. In this regard, the poem stresses that women are nothing without men.
This portrays women has a pot of soup which needs the presence of man to add salt and flavour. There are many women all over the world who are successful and powerful without having men in their life. Hear the chauvinistic lines of the poem:
Let me ask for what reason or rhyme women refuse to marry?
Woman cannot exist except by man, what is there in man to vex some of them so?
The poem does not only project man as the pillar in a woman's life, it latently questions the motive of organizations that are advocating for the liberation and empowerment of women. The poem wants to know why women are finding it difficult to submit to their man.
In conclusion, I believe that, while the poem is great for stressing the importance of friendship and companionship in human life, it relegates women to the background. This is not good for the advancement of gender equality and liberation movements across the globe.
Give Me the Minstrel's Seat (Full Poem)
Give me the minstrel’s seat that I may seat and ask you a word, my friends.
Let me ask for what reason or rhyme women refuse to marry?
Woman cannot exist except by man, what is there in man to vex some of them so?
A woman is she who has a husband and she cannot but prosper. Cleave unto your man and his kinsmen will become jealous
His kinsmen have planted cocoyams but the fruit they reap is dum-palm nuts
We think you plant the borassus palm, the teak, the mnga and the solanum tree
When man goes on the road he goes with a friend, for he who walks alone has no good fortune.
As man goes through life soon he is pierced by the thorn, or the sand-mote enters his eye and he needs a friend to remove it.
Likewise I give you advice, the rich man and the poor man
Join hands across the shroud
Better a loin cloth without disgrace than the fine flowered shawl of shame.
@gandhibaba I quite agree with the standards created this poem. Male chauvinism exists in our society but that does not rule out the sanctity of the truths/laws that created the universe. Women were created for the satisfaction of men as vise versa. This unison can only be achieved in marriage and nothing more.
This is the grand plan of He who created both the male and the female.
As touching gender equality, well I rest my case because He who created it never made it so. Don't misquote me:* I am not saying women should be oppressed.
The solution to this is love. Women needs to be loved by their husbands and once this is achieved, it would take care of gender equality. A man who loves his wife will allow her to aspire to the greatest echelon of her dreams because it would be to his own glory in the end.
This I believe is the moral lesson being passed across by the poet.
There are lots of religious and societal belief that stand against gender equality but i believe it is wrong to say one entity cannot exist without the other.
You're right. While I am not a fan of extreme feminism, I believe in gender equality. Man or woman, we all have our roles to play in the society. Regards!
Hello, @gandhibaba!
This seems to be a pretty old poem. Obviously, it must be from the time when women had no say. However, I suppose it could have been misinterpreted in its translation, as is often the case with all ancient scriptures.
I could also say that initially (and I am referring to many years ago) for a small population the essential thing was to increase its size so it was certainly necessary to produce more children, which a woman could certainly do. Somehow they had to inculcate in the women's minds the need to have a partner and procreate. The times are what defined the rules.
Let's remember that previously the teachings or the way of interpreting "reality" was done through stories, tales and songs.
I guess one has to meditate on many of the teachings that the poem hides.
Thanks for sharing :D