Delta Blues and Other Home Songs

by Tanure Ojaide

This work takes in two collections of poetry. The poems of Delta Blues protests against the environmental degradation of the Niger Delta, and the devastation unleashed upon local populations, victims, and caught up in the race for oil. The younger poet dedicates his work to Ken Saro Wiwa, and other civil-rights activists. He writes about the irony of their mortality, which was, their last resort and only threat; their death was the final protest. The poet contrasts the natural heritage of the river, a vital food and water source, with barrels of oil, which bring little benefit to the people of the river. He believes that remembering the past and the dead may be the only way of preventing history repeating itself.

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