A Tribute To African Women

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(A Tribute To African Women)
Oh Virtuous Matriarchs

(A Tribute To African Women)

By Uche Nworah

Oh virtuous matriarchs

Daughters of our fathers and children of our mothers

Lucky and happy are the land from whence you came.

You are filled with anointing

And blessed by the One who breathed life into you

Your heads overflow with the balm of Gilead

Your brows are like burnished bronze

Your smiles as soothing as the rising sun

We watched you toil day by day

With your children tied to your backs

You chose to gather and refused to scatter

Your children and maidservants live in abundance

Your husbands stand tall

We watched you glide about the compound

Like the beautiful gazelles that you are

With your Jigida tied around your bosom

And Nzu adorning your skin

As we sing praises of your gait

Our thoughts overwhelm us

Our hearts are laden with guilt

And we ask

What can we do to ease your pain

We visited the market square and there you were

On our way back from the stream

You stood by for us to pass

With your earthenware pot on your head

As we arrived home

There you were in your hut

Stoking the dinner fire

And we looked into your face

Your smile still shone

As flames flicker

And flowers wither

Your souls falter

Our hearts race

Little by little

But now we know

Though ages it took

You deserve our praise

O virtuous matriarchs

Mothers of our children

And wives of our fathers

Honoured and blessed are you

And long may He keep you

For Nne'm Amaka Nworah and Nwunye'm Uche Nworah, and to all African women on the occasion of the International Women's Day 2007

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