Elegguas

Kamau Brathwaite is a major Caribbean poet of his generation, and his play Elegguas is a collection of poems for the departed, drawing together traditions of speaking with the dead from Rilke's Duino Elegies to the Jamaican kumina practice. It is also profoundly political, including elegies for assassinated revolutionaries. Brathwaite foregrounds nation-language, using the computer to explore the graphic rendition of nuances of language.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2021
Publisher: University Press of New England

Kamau Brathwaite, a renowned Caribbean poet of his generation and a prominent figure in world literature during the second half of the 20th century, has left an indelible mark with his profound and heartfelt requiems. His collection, titled "Elegguas," is a tribute to the departed, blending elements of elegy and the Yoruba deity Eleggua, who oversees thresholds, doorways, and crossroads. Drawing inspiration from modernist and post-modernist traditions, Brathwaite's work explores the captivating realm of communicating with the deceased, encompassing influences such as Rilke's Duino Elegies and the Jamaican kumina practice, where spirits of the dead temporarily inhabit the bodies of the faithful to offer spiritual guidance and advice.

Moreover, "Elegguas" delves into the political realm, offering elegies for assassinated revolutionaries, exemplified in the masterful Poem for Walter Rodney. Throughout his poetry, Brathwaite emphasizes the significance of nation-language, the unique syntax, rhythm, and timbre associated with the African experience in the Caribbean. By employing the power of technology, he explores the graphic representation of language nuances, employing his own Sycorax fonts and incorporating deliberate misspellings and deviations in punctuation. However, this artistic approach goes beyond mere surface aesthetics, serving as a profound expression of the turbulence depicted in the poems.

"Elegguas" is a remarkable testament to Brathwaite's poetic prowess, following the success of his previous collection, "Born to Slow Horses," which received the prestigious Griffin International Poetry Prize. This collection continues to captivate readers with its profound insights, emotional resonance, and innovative literary techniques, solidifying Brathwaite's status as a visionary poet whose work transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences worldwide.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 179 x 208 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819580184