Animal symbolism in the poetry of Joe Ushie

Abstract

Although Joe Ushie’s poetry has received critical attention, studies focus mainly on the socio-political and ecological issues prevalent in the poems. Our paper is interested in the way Ushie uses the idea of human-animal metamorphosis and animal symbolism in expressing his ecological and socio-political concerns, personal vision, and other forms of activism. Animals have particular importance in the African socio-cultural context, and there are many instances of human-animal transformation or animal symbolism in oral traditions. We argue that Ushie draws from this paradigm in the adoption of animals in his poetry and poetics. Our close reading of Ushie’s Popular Stand and Other Poems and Lambs at the Shrine reveals the use of animals as symbols in the advocacy for ecological preservation and balance and the characterisation of humans as animals or vice versa as a form of satire against political leaders and oppressors. The archetypal significance of the animals represented in the selected poems reflects Ushie’s vision, and through their symbolism, issues bordering on socio-political malaise and environmentalism are foregrounded.