THE BEAUTY OF IDENTITY IN AFRICAN CULTURE

Abstract

Senghor’s negritude poem reflects the beauty of original identity in African thoughts. Although the poet praises black women's elegance, in its spirit it asserts the idea that African culture is replete with the sanctity of the community, beauty of the nature, and perfectibility of the nature. Imperative in this culture is a deep mysterious appreciation of beauty striking everyone’s heart. “Your beauty strikes me to the heart like the flash of an eagle”. This exalted admiration of beauty connotes a spiritual journey touching the inner aspects of the life. “The spiritual song of the Beloved” with her “solemn contralto voice” is not a mere poem entertaining people. Rather, it reflects a deeper view of life around the apprehension of beauty of the beloved. This beauty is more than a word, a phrase, or a slogan. It is a manifestation of one’s original identity attained through such a mysterious journey. Rumi, Persian poet say