I want a new religion.
The one our mothers had in the river.

I am tired of Jesus and Mohammed.
I am tired of man's foot.
I am tired of the White man's mother.
I am weary...from doing nothing about it.

I want my own religion.
I want my real mother.

Africa, I want you.

Make me pregnant with God.
Our own perfect babies...Black as perfection.
Tall as the sky. Healthy as light sparkling on
clear water.

I want my own religion.
I want my own voice.
I want my own face.
I want my own hair.
I am Naima/the one who is victorious
the one
who is praying




Copyright © Kola Boof, 1997


Bint il Nil" is taken from the landmark post-colonial tome "Nile River Woman", a collection of poems by Kola Boof. Originally published in Africa, 1997. More on Kola Boof at Who is Kola Boof at Nathanielturner.com.

Reach out to Kola Boof at kolaboof_email@yahoo.com

Photo Credits:

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HEADER

"Proud Woman," Courtesy of: African Millennium Foundation, www.african-millennium.com

"Agave2." Courtesy of: John Villinski, Abstract Southwest, www.abstractsouthwest.com

African “Egghead” and Black Man in White
Courtesy of: Gene Pearson, Gene Pearson Studio, www.genepearsonsculpture.com



TOP PHOTO

This is an aerial image of the interaction of the ocean and the Namib Desert in Southwest Africa.

Namib Desert is namely, next to coastline. Mists made when warm air and cold Benguela Current meet is peculiar to the area, but rainfall doesn't reach inner desert area because the mists formed along narrow coastal zone scatter away instantly.
Sand dune stretches long to the coastline, across the wind direction. From coast to inner continent, color of the sand dune changes pale blue, blue, yellow, white yellow and yellow at an interval of about 10km, showing different patterns in each color zone.

Around rock in upper right of the image, wind from north carries sand over the rock. Sand dune can not be formed in between these rocks, because wind blows from all sides.


Writing and image from ersdac.or.jp/ASTERimage/ASTERimage_library_E.html where there are other amazing images to see.