Analysis of The Vultures by David Diop

In those days 

When civilization kicked us in the face

When holy water slapped our cringing brows

The vultures built in the shadow of their talons

The bloodstained monument of tutelage

In those days

There was painful laughter on the metallic hell of the 

roads

And the monotonous rhythm of the paternoster

Drowned the howling on the plantations.

O the bitter memories of extorted kisses

Of promises broken at the point of a gun

Of foreigners who did not seem human

Who knew all the books but did not know love.

But we whose hands fertilize the womb of the earth 

In spite of your songs of prideages of torn Africa

Hope was preserved in us as in a fortress

And from the mines of Swaziland to the factories of 

Europe

Spring will be reborn under our bright steps

In spite of the desolate villages of torn Africa

Hope was preserved in us as in a fortress

And from the mines of Swaziland to the factories of 

Europe

Spring will be reborn under our bright steps.

  The poem  ''the vultures'' explorees the  issues of colonialiastion  in Afica. Here,Diop articulates the in humane actions of men that have resulted in the inevitable exploitations of native Africans. He convetys this through the utlization of the symbolism [line 3],vultures are symbols of the prejudicial discrimination the natives have been subjected to. The harsh reality of post colonisation is further demonstrated in line6. 

                 ''There was painful laughter on the metallic hell of the 

                   roads''

''Metalic hell of roads'' depicts a country where weapons and guns congest up the country,suppressing any joy or laughter. The repition of ''those days'' makes us understand that Diop is reminiscing,placing emphasis on his desire to return to thosw days prior to the British colonisation. Through the poem,Diop presents a reflection of disparity with imperialism and a yearning for Africa to become independent