 Note from Dr. Bain:
As you read this poem, feel free to react. Is it historically accurate? How do you know?
What
evidence does the author have for the statements s/he makes? Does it represent your
understanding of Mali? Why? Why not?
Remember we said that all
historical accounts are shaped by the historian that creates the account. Do you see the author's
perspective here? Is the account shaped by experience? Ethnocentrism? How?
If you'd like to respond to the
student-historian, then email me with your response and I'll pass it along. Include the author's
name in the subject of your message and email your note to
Dr. Bain at
bbain@umich.edu |
Mali, such a beautiful city that thrived.
Sometimes it seems like it was before its time.
Mali, a place where gold was abundant and the Mansa ruled.
Camel caravans transported goods.
Mali, customs were to throw dirt upon one's self
When the Mansa spoke to you.
Mali, such a peaceful nation.
There was no racial hating.
Mali, so fascinating, so calm.
I hope that you will never fall.
Comments on the poem
Comments this historian's account of Mali
JF comments on this poem (11/19/97):
I think A did a wonderful job. In a short, concise poem she
conveyed the overall picture of Mali. She included customs, the economy,
the government, and feelings. I think a very important part of Mali are the
camel caravans and she was able to include that fact. I'm not so sure that
I agree with the second line though. I don't think Mali was before its
time, it just seems that way because we thought Africa was a savage,
barbaric continent at the time Mali flourished. It does help show Mali's
complexity. Good job A!
JF responds (11/19/97):
A's poem was wonderful. It was very thoughtful and deep. She
was, unfortunately, historically incorrect when she stated that Mali was a
city. This can be covered by poetic license. Other than that, the poem is
very well written and accurate.
Part of her poem is ethnocentric, though not in a bad way. She
speaks of it as "a peaceful nation/with no racial hating." She is comparing
it to the US and it is a very peaceful nation compared with our country. As
for there being no racial hating, there wasn't very much in the 14th century.
The poem is an excellent representation of our understanding of
Mali.
Jk joins the conversation (11/20/97):
I
think that A did a wonderful job on her poem. She was short but sweet.
She got her point across very well, but she was a bit ethnocentric. When
she said that Mali didn't have racism, she was looking at it from an American
point of view. To us in the USA, it seems that Mali does not have racism,
but there are probably people from other places that say Mali has quite a bit
of racism compared to their environment. Over all though, I feel that this
poem was very well written.
Dr. Bain's reaction(11/20/97):
Interesting discussion. You've
got me thinking particularly about the questions you've raised about race and racism. Could it be
that the people in Mali did not even think in terms of racial differences? I am not saying that they
treated everyone the same. We know that the Mansa had slaves and servants. However, did they
define others along "racial" lines? What evidence would we look for to see if people in
the past thought in these ways?
GTs reaction(11/20/97):
I thought this poem was
very well written. I believe that it is accurate. She makes Mali seem as if
it was a perfect place. Maybe a little too perfect. Yea, they had gold and
trade and it was beautiful , but there were times when the Mansa's guards
would beat the people. I think Aisha might have included some of the other, not so
perfect things about Mali. The poem might also talk about the government because it was
important. But it was good to bring up the camels and gold because those
are very important to Mali. Nice job A!
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Contact: Bob Bain at
bbain@umich.edu
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Poem by Aisha Taylor