Leopold Sedar Senghor’s “Black Woman” is a celebration of African beauty and identity, portrayed through the vivid imagery and sensual language that explores both physical and cultural attributes. The poem is an ode to the African woman, emphasizing the beauty, strength, and sacredness of black womanhood. Senghor’s mastery of language, symbolism, and vivid description makes this poem not just a tribute to an individual, but a tribute to a collective African identity.
In this article, we will explore the figures of speech, mood, tone, and language in “Black Woman” by Senghor, making the analysis accessible to anyone, even those with little prior knowledge of literary devices. We’ll also suggest classroom activities and assignments that will encourage students to dive deeper into the poem’s themes and stylistic elements.
The Poem: “Black Woman” by Leopold Sedar Senghor
Here is the full text of “Black Woman”:
Black Woman
By Leopold Sedar Senghor
Naked woman, black woman
Clothed with your colour which is life,
with your form which is beauty!
In your shadow I have grown up; the
gentleness of your hands was laid over my eyes.
And now, high up on the sun-baked
pass, at the heart of summer, at the heart of noon,
I come upon you, my Promised Land,
And your beauty strikes me to the heart
like the flash of an eagle.
Naked woman, dark woman
Firm-fleshed ripe fruit, sombre raptures
of black wine, mouth making lyrical my mouth
Savannah stretching to clear horizons,
savannah shuddering beneath the East Wind’s
eager caresses
Carved tom-tom, taut tom-tom, muttering
under the Conqueror’s fingers
Your solemn contralto voice is the
spiritual song of the Beloved.
Naked woman, dark woman
Oil that no breath ruffles, calm oil on the
athlete’s flanks, on the flanks of the Princes of Mali
Gazelle limbed in Paradise, pearls are stars on the
night of your skin
Delights of the mind, the glinting of red
gold against your watered skin
Under the shadow of your hair, my care
is lightened by the neighbouring suns of your eyes.
Naked woman, black woman,
I sing your beauty that passes, the form
that I fix in the Eternal,
Before jealous fate turn you to ashes to
feed the roots of life.
Figures of Speech in “Black Woman”
- Repetition:
- Example: “Naked woman, black woman”
- Explanation: The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the focus on the black woman, reinforcing her significance in the poem.
- Metaphor:
- Example: “Clothed with your colour which is life”
- Explanation: The color of the woman is compared to life itself, suggesting that her essence is vital and life-giving.
- Simile:
- Example: “Your beauty strikes me to the heart / like the flash of an eagle.”
- Explanation: Senghor compares the woman’s beauty to the sudden, powerful strike of an eagle’s flash, emphasizing its intensity and impact.
- Personification:
- Example: “Savannah shuddering beneath the East Wind’s eager caresses”
- Explanation: The savannah is personified as shuddering, giving the land human-like qualities of sensitivity and responsiveness.
- Alliteration:
- Example: “Firm-fleshed ripe fruit, sombre raptures of black wine”
- Explanation: The repetition of the “r” sound in “ripe fruit” and “raptures” adds a musical quality to the poem while emphasizing the richness and depth of the woman’s beauty.
- Symbolism:
- Example: “Oil that no breath ruffles”
- Explanation: The oil symbolizes smoothness and perfection, suggesting the woman’s beauty is untouched and unruffled by external forces.
- Hyperbole:
- Example: “Your beauty strikes me to the heart like the flash of an eagle.”
- Explanation: The impact of the woman’s beauty is exaggerated, showing its overwhelming power.
- Oxymoron:
- Example: “Sombre raptures of black wine”
- Explanation: The combination of “sombre” (serious) and “raptures” (ecstasy) creates a contrast, suggesting that the woman’s beauty is both profound and intoxicating.
- Metonymy:
- Example: “Carved tom-tom, taut tom-tom”
- Explanation: The tom-tom drum represents the rhythmic and cultural heartbeat of Africa, a symbol of tradition and heritage.
- Allusion:
- Example: “On the flanks of the Princes of Mali”
- Explanation: This refers to the historical and cultural significance of the Mali Empire, alluding to a rich African heritage and the regal dignity of the black woman.
- Personification:
- Example: “The glinting of red gold against your watered skin”
- Explanation: The gold is personified as glinting, symbolizing wealth and value in relation to the woman’s beauty.
- Anaphora:
- Example: “Naked woman, black woman”
- Explanation: The repetition of the opening phrase throughout the poem creates a rhythmic structure, reinforcing the central theme of the woman’s beauty and power.
- Juxtaposition:
- Example: “Delights of the mind, the glinting of red gold against your watered skin”
- Explanation: The juxtaposition of physical beauty with intellectual and spiritual delight highlights the multifaceted nature of the black woman.
- Imagery:
- Example: “Pearls are stars on the night of your skin”
- Explanation: The imagery of pearls and stars conveys a vision of luminous beauty, comparing the woman’s skin to a celestial phenomenon.
- Symbolism:
- Example: “I fix in the Eternal”
- Explanation: The eternal represents immortality, suggesting that the woman’s beauty is timeless and transcends death.
Mood, Tone, and Language in “Black Woman”
- Mood: The mood of the poem is celebratory, passionate, and reverent. Senghor conveys deep admiration for the beauty and significance of the black woman, creating a sense of awe and reverence in the reader.
- Tone: The tone is one of intense admiration and worship. The poet speaks with a tone that acknowledges the divine and sacred nature of the woman he describes, elevating her to the status of a symbol of African pride.
- Language: Senghor’s language is rich, evocative, and sensory. His use of vivid imagery and metaphor elevates the poem from a mere description of physical beauty to a profound celebration of cultural and spiritual identity.
Classroom Activities for “Black Woman”
- Sensory Exploration:
Ask students to focus on the sensory imagery in the poem. Have them write their own sensory poems, paying close attention to visual, auditory, and tactile imagery. - Animal Imagery Discussion:
Discuss the comparison of the woman to animals (like the eagle) and what these comparisons suggest about her power and beauty. Students can create a list of animals and their symbolic meanings in African culture. - Historical Context Activity:
Have students research the significance of the Mali Empire and its leaders. Then, ask them to write an essay on how Senghor uses historical allusions to connect the black woman to African heritage. - Group Reading and Performance:
Divide the class into groups and assign each group a stanza to perform. Ask them to focus on the emotional impact of their reading and how tone, rhythm, and imagery can be conveyed through performance. - Creative Artwork:
Students can create visual art that interprets the themes and imagery of the poem. This can be anything from paintings to digital art, inspired by the rich descriptions in the poem.
Classroom Assignments for “Black Woman”
- Essay on Poetic Devices:
Write an essay analyzing the use of at least five poetic devices in the poem. Discuss how these devices enhance the meaning and tone of the poem. - Poem Reflection:
Write a reflective piece on what the black woman symbolizes in the poem. Students should reflect on how Senghor’s portrayal connects to themes of race, culture, and identity. - Comparative Analysis:
Compare “Black Woman” with another work of African literature that celebrates black identity, such as “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. Discuss the similarities and differences in how these poems portray strength and beauty. - Historical Significance Research:
Research the role of women in African societies and compare this with the portrayal of the woman in Senghor’s poem. Write a report on the historical accuracy and symbolism in the poem. - Creative Writing Assignment:
Write a poem inspired by Senghor’s “Black Woman” using vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism. Students should aim to create a tribute to a person or concept important to them, in the style of Senghor.
