Amúnibúni (origin: Yoruba, Nigeria) is a poem about physical and psychological (emotional) abuse, on the premise that the subject brings bad luck or never does anything right.
Enjoy this poem, and let your imagination run wild (press play below, for a beautiful rendition).
Amúnibúni
Fiam! fiam!! on my neck and behind:
a routine I am compulsively assigned
Now, a whip, next, any object you find;
huffing and puffing with rage so blind,
battering, as for crimes against mankind,
ripping and breaking body and mind
“Amúnibúni” you’re quick to remind:
“this house is no place for your kind”
As your whip picks flesh off my back,
creating weeping paths, on old scar stack,
weaving new fibers on living straw shack,
embellishing skin like worn potato sac,
shearing white and red and blue-black,
I employ a little survival hack:
“let mind wander till end of attack;
mind like hardened like a bronze plaque
Every little mistake, you berate,
my efforts at right, you underrate;
even my smile makes you irate
Your favorite line: ” you will never be great”
Pouring our so much vitriol and hate,
ever since I was just a neonate
Chiding me for every bad fate;
calling me evil and unfortunate
Rather than nurture, you try to tame
Instead of correction, you defame
For every shortcoming, you add flame
I will put these words in a mirror frame:
“Amúnibúni the harbinger of shame;
the one who soils the family name”
One day, you will see who is to blame
Your failure deserves acclaim
You have stolen my self-esteem,
but not even you can kill my dream
In time, I will be free of your regime
and all that’s lost, I will redeem
Eventually, my heart will cease to scream
I’ll reach the peaks and live life as I deem
Hmm! ‘amúnibúni to crème de la crème’
Your dear name will be lost, like steam
Summary
Amúnibúni is not the same as ‘The Black Sheep‘ because one can be an only child and still be an “amúnibúni”.
People maltreat others for several reasons, including:
- Beliefs: cultural, religious or personal beliefs can influence the maltreatment of others.
- Poverty: the effects of poverty are far reaching (see this poem: Below the Poverty Line).
- Mental health challenge (especially mild forms), for example, depression (a poem).
Sometimes, our intervention into cases of abuse, may involve reporting to appropriate authority.
This world will definitely be a better place if we stop all forms of maltreatment and abuse.
