Abiku(poem) by Wole Soyinka

 

Abiku

-Wole Soyinka

"Abiku" is a poem by Wole Soyinka that explores the Yoruba concept of the abiku, a spirit child who is born repeatedly to the same mother, only to die young and return to the spirit world. The poem is rich in imagery, symbolism, and Yoruba cultural references.

Summary of Abiku

The poem is narrated by the abiku itself, who speaks with a sense of pride and defiance. It declares that no matter how many sacrifices or rituals are performed, it will continue to return and die again. The abiku describes its familiarity with suffering, hunger, and the pain of its repeated existence. It seems to challenge the efforts of its parents to keep it alive, suggesting that it is beyond human control.

Themes in Abiku

a.     Fate and Destiny – The abiku is trapped in a cycle of birth and death, suggesting that some things are beyond human influence.

b.     The Supernatural – The poem reflects Yoruba beliefs in spirit children and the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds.
Suffering and Hopelessness – The mother’s pain is implied, as she continues to lose her child despite her efforts.

c.      Defiance – The abiku speaks with arrogance, almost mocking the attempts to keep it alive.

MCQs

1.     What does the term "Abiku" mean in Yoruba belief?

a.     A child destined to be king

b.    A spirit child who repeatedly dies and is reborn

c.      A warrior chosen by the gods

d.     A messenger of the ancestors

2.     Who is the speaker in "Abiku"?

a.     The grieving mother

b.     A village elder

c.      The Abiku itself

d.     A priest performing rituals

3.     What is the tone of the poem?

a.     Hopeful and optimistic

b.    Defiant and mocking

c.      Joyful and celebratory

d.     Indifferent and neutral

4.     What is a key theme in "Abiku"?

a.     The power of love

b.    The inevitability of fate

c.      The importance of education

d.     The glory of war

5.     Which literary device is heavily used in the poem?

a.     Hyperbole

b.    Metaphor

c.      Pun

d.     Satire

6.     What does the "Abiku" suggest about the sacrifices made to keep it alive?

a.     They are powerful and will stop its return

b.    They are useless and will not prevent its destiny

c.      They will make it stronger and healthier

d.     They are appreciated and accepted

7.     How does Soyinka use imagery in the poem?

a.     To describe the beauty of nature

b.    To highlight the pain and suffering of the Abiku’s cycle

c.      To show the power of traditional rituals

d.     To depict a journey of self-discovery

8.     What does the Abiku’s attitude toward life and death suggest?

a.     It is fearful of dying again

b.     It is resigned to its fate

c.      It enjoys the pain it causes

d.     It seeks to break the cycle

9.     Which of the following best describes the structure of the poem?

a.     It follows a strict rhyme scheme

b.    It is written in free verse with vivid descriptions

c.      It is a sonnet with 14 lines

d.     It is a haiku with a 5-7-5 syllable structure

10.                     What does the poem suggest about the relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds?

a.     They are completely separate and do not influence each other

b.    The spiritual world is more powerful than the physical world

c.      Humans can fully control spiritual beings with rituals

d.     The physical world dominates the spiritual realm

Short Question-Answers:

1.     Who is the speaker in "Abiku", and what is its attitude?

Ans: The speaker in Abiku is the Abiku itself, a spirit child who repeatedly dies and returns to be reborn. The Abiku speaks with a defiant and mocking tone, showing no remorse for the suffering it causes. It dismisses the rituals and sacrifices made by its parents, asserting that nothing can prevent its inevitable return to the spirit world. This attitude reflects the Yoruba belief in fate and the power of supernatural forces.

2.     What themes are explored in "Abiku"?

Ans: The poem explores themes of fate, suffering, and the supernatural. The Abiku embodies the inevitability of destiny, resisting human efforts to control it. The theme of suffering is evident in the pain of the mother, who loses her child repeatedly. The supernatural theme reflects Yoruba beliefs in spirit children who exist between the physical and spiritual worlds. The poem highlights the tension between human hope and the dominance of mystical forces.

3.     How does "Abiku" reflect Yoruba cultural beliefs?

Ans: The poem is deeply rooted in Yoruba mythology, where the Abiku is believed to be a spirit child who repeatedly dies and returns. Yoruba people traditionally perform rituals and sacrifices to prevent the Abiku from dying young, but the poem suggests these efforts are futile. The Abiku’s defiant tone reinforces the idea that spiritual forces are beyond human control, illustrating the Yoruba belief in destiny, reincarnation, and the strong influence of supernatural beings.

4.     What is the significance of the Abiku's defiance in the poem?

Ans: The Abiku’s defiance highlights its dominance over human efforts to keep it alive. It mocks the rituals meant to stop its cycle of death and rebirth, showing that it cannot be controlled. This defiance symbolises the struggle between human hope and fate, suggesting that some things are beyond human power. The Abiku’s attitude also reflects the tension between the physical and spiritual worlds, reinforcing the Yoruba belief that destiny is unavoidable.