Quest for self-identity in ‘Elegy of the Circumcised” by Leopold Senghor

Leopold Senghor’s poetry work ‘Elegy of the Circumcised” is one that is dominated by a distinct metaphor which is explicitly or implicitly that of the phoenix from the Egyptian mythology. Phoenix represents a mythical death purification regeneration theme and a concomitant quest for self-identity and this is what forms the central focus of Senghor’s poetic work (Curtin, p. 31). Senghor’s  subject in this poem is that of expanded frame of reference where he makes frequent attempts to regain identity and dignity through a spiritual voyage to a historical mythical past, a journey to the soul and the hope for rebirth and a renewal of the individual human in league with the community.

‘Elegy of the Circumcised’ shows his alienation from his past where he undergoes a terrifying loss of identity and a sense of cosmic harmony. It is the night of circumcision and as a child this is the day that he is required to bid farewell to his innocence and become a man but he is afraid “I had to die I hid my hand on my throat like a girl who shudders at the horror of Death” (Stanza 1, line 7). The whole ceremony as is described in the poem seem to be out of harmony with nature beginning with the frightening roaring of the lion which symbolically represents the imminent loss of innocence. In (stanza 1, line 6), ‘Fire of branches you fire of hope!’ , the burning of the branches is also symbolic in representation of the transformation to manhood though the pale fire also imitates the sun which he has a close relation with in his union with the cosmos.  All the elements of the ritual symbolise the loss of the initial innocence.  The comforting and secure childhood has to now give way to manhood, the world that is full of experiences and one that is almost immediately threatens the close man nature harmony that he has enjoyed since he was born.

Senghor in this poem suggests that people should try and retreat to the innocence of childhood; he does not deny the importance and inevitability of moving from a state of innocence into a threatening world full of experiences. The important thing in this work is the symbolic nature of childhood innocence which represents a rapport with nature which is desirable in adulthood as well as in childhood. The other thing is the hope that man can survive the threats of the world and achieve a new innocence that has acquired its roots and symbol from the original innocence not only that of the child but also that of the ancient pats which the child represents.

Senghor longs for his childhood, “…..so many times I have wept how many times?  For transparent nights of childhood”, this is the completeness that is experienced by the child (Stanza 5, line 1). As an adult, he no longer feels himself involved in the cosmic union that he once loved; he feels that rationalism has replaced intuitive reason and feeling. He is now alienated from that rhythmic silence that cradle him and he feels separated from his African night. In (stanza 6, line 7) ‘The Phoenix rises, he sings with wings extended, over the carnage of world’, as the poem end, Senghor demands for realistic perception in that the world cannot hold a child’s innocence. The world is simply a transcendent mystical concept and it must be real. 

 

 

 

 

Works cited

Curtin, Philip D. Africa and the West: Intellectual Responses to European Culture :

[including Papers Read at a Conference on African Intellectual Reactions to Western Culture, 1969]. Madison, Wis, 1972. Print.

Senghor, Leopold. “Elegy of the Circumcised.” EXe,

learning.uonbi.ac.ke/courses/BEL102B/scormPackages/path_2/112_elegy_of_the_circumcised.html.