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"Poetry for the People": Reading Garveyism through Poetry

Ethiopia's

Throughout the "Poetry for the People" section (and the Garvey movement more broadly), Ethiopia is often used as a stand-in for all African nations or peoples. It operates as a metonym, or a word that substitutes for something else with which it is closely related. More specifically, it is an example of synecdoche, since the part (Ethiopia) stands in for the whole (Africa).

Writers like O.M. Skinner were clearly influenced by Ethiopianism, which invoked Ethiopia in reference to the ancient kingdom, holding it up as an emblem of old African civilization before European colonization. Of course, Ethiopia also refers to the modern-day nation, and the poems often demonstrate some slippage between the two meanings. Whether a symbol of ancient glory or an example of a contemporary, independent African nation, Ethiopia wielded great power as a literary device.

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From Afric’s Sunny Country, by Prof. O. M. Skinner
From Afric’s sunny country
From Ethiopia’s world
[Whose land] is full of bounty
And sands rolled down [with] gold.
From many a silent river
From many a sun kissed [illegible]
They call us to deliver
Their land from error’s chain

For though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o’er Afric’s soil
All other prospect [illegible]
And man alone is vile.
In hope we raise our voices
To Thee the God above--
O show us some devices
With which to show our love

We shall not rest in silence
We shall not hold our peace
Until the accursed violence
Upon thy people cease.
O give us faith to conquer
O give us strength to fight
Until shall cease our languor
That men shall see the light.

And then shall waft the story
O’er mountain, hill and plain
To God belongs the glory
Christ has not died in vain.
For Afric’s trodden nation
Shall know the God of might

Shall seek His free salvation

And battle for the right.
Prof. O. M. Skinner
620 Lenox Avenue, New York

From the February 12, 1921 issue.
A Call to Race Manhood, by H. Percival Welsh
Fellowmen of Negro blood,
With undaunted faith in God,
Come along, and take your places
With the men of other races.
Though we long have trampled been,
We a ray of hope have seen.
Women, men, and children small,
List to Marcus Garvey’s call.

Men of Ethiopia’s race,
You are Negroes, ‘tis no disgrace.
Let us then united be
In our fight for liberty.

U.N.I.A. and A.C.L.
Wheresoever man may dwell,
Your flag of red, and black, and green
High above all shall be seen.

Africa shall win the day
Though men and devils be in the way,
We are in the fight ‘gainst might.
God is with us; all is right.
   H. Percival Welsh
   President U.N.I.A.
   43 Barnett Street, Montego Bay

From the February 19, 1921 issue.