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Read the following oral poem and then answer the questions which follow
O elephant possessor of a saving- basket full of money
O elephant, huge as a hill, even in a crouching posture,
O elephant, enfolded by honor: demon, flapping fans of war.
Demon who snaps tree branches into many pieces and moves on the forest farm,
O elephant, whom ignores ‘I have fled to my father for refuge’.
Let alone ‘to my mother’ Mountains Animal, Huge
Best who tears a man like a garment and hangs him up on a tree,
The sight of whom causes people to stampede towards a hill of safety,
My chant is a salute to the elephant, Ajanaku who walks with a heavy tread,
Demon who swallows palm-fruit bunches, whole, even with the spiky pistil –cells,
O elephant, praise named, Laaye, massive animal blackish –grey in complexion,
O elephant, who single-handedly cause a tremor in a dense tropical forest,
O elephant, who stands sturdy and alert, who walks slowly as if reluctantly,
O elephant, whom one sees and points towards

Answer Text:
a) What type of oral poem is this?
It is praise poem. There is mention of the words ‘possessor of a bag full of money’ and ‘O elephant, praise named, Laaye’
(b) Identify, illustrate and give the effect of any three features of style used in the poem.
Features of style
(i) Repetition – the word ‘oh elephant’ has been repeated.
Effect-to put emphasis on the one being praised
ii) Simile – huge as a hill
Effect-To emphasize on the large size of the elephant
iii) Authorial intrusion – I have fled to my father for refuge.
Effect-Reinforce the people to have fear for the elephant.
(c) How is the elephant portrayed in the poem?
The elephant is portrayed as mighty /powerful/ferocious
This is evident in the line which goes ‘He who tears man like a garment’
d) What is the persona’s attitude towards the elephant?
Admirable/praiseful/magnificient- the persona says “who single handedly causes a tremor in a dense tropical forest”
(e) Identify any two economic activities of the community from which this poem is derived.
i) Hunting – there is mention of the ‘hunters boast’
(ii) Farming – there is mention of the palm fruits and palm oil.
(f) Identify the main theme of this poem.
The main theme: Human –animal conflict
We see a conflict in the line which says “The sight of whom cause people to stampede”
(g) Explain any two problems you may encounter when
collecting material for this genre.
i) Language barrier if conducted outside your community.
(ii) Unwillingness of the resource people.