Carrying Ancestral Dreams: A Poet’s journey of Heritage and Becoming
Antu Yacob’s poem is a powerful exploration of inherited responsibility, cultural identity, and the weight – and ultimately, the liberation - of ancestral expectation. It’s a piece that resonates deeply,notably for those navigating multiple cultural landscapes and the pressure to honor the past while forging a future. Let’s unpack the layers of meaning within this evocative work.
The Burden of Legacy
The poem opens with a profound sense of listening. Not to sound, but to a deeper call – “it’s all I listen for.” This isn’t passive hearing; it’s an active receptivity to the desires of ancestors,a feeling of being carried by them.Yacob beautifully illustrates this with the image of her feet supporting the “elders in heaven,” their “unfinished desire” a tangible weight with each step.
This weight isn’t presented as purely positive. Baba Ola’s assertion that her journey is “sacred” feels less like a blessing and more like a “pressure” – a significant burden to bear. It’s a feeling many can relate to: the expectation to fulfill family dreams, to represent a culture, to be somthing more than yourself.
The Physical Manifestation of Internal Struggle
Yacob masterfully connects the internal emotional weight to the physical body. She references Meklit Hadero‘s powerful declaration – “I wanna sing for them all!” – a desire that fuels her, yet also contributes to the strain.
Notice the stark imagery:
Heavy legs: “My legs are heavy with fear, they’ve always been bigger than the rest of me.” This isn’t just about physical size; it’s about the immensity of the task, the feeling of being overwhelmed.
distorted spine: “My spine distorted from fitting in.” This is a particularly poignant line, speaking to the compromises and contortions we make to navigate a world that doesn’t always accommodate our full selves. It’s a physical depiction of the cost of assimilation.
Finding Momentum in Remembrance
The poem shifts with the memory of Haacaaluu Hundessa, a prominent Ethiopian artist and activist whose assassination sparked widespread protests.His memory isn’t a source of sadness, but of action.”Haacaaluu’s memory causes me on.”
This is a crucial turning point. The “hips pop with the realization that jumping is required.” There’s an urgency, a refusal to remain stagnant. She understands she is “their living dream,” a vessel carrying their hopes forward.
however, this realization isn’t purely intellectual. “My mind can’t see it,” she admits, but her “vessel maneuvers in deed.” This is a powerful distinction. Even when understanding is elusive, the body knows what to do, guided by ancestral wisdom.
Beyond Place: Existing in Time and Spirit
yacob moves beyond the limitations of physical location. “There’s not one place we reside / But in periods and spirit / in flesh / And in breaths.” This speaks to the diasporic experience, the feeling of belonging everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. Identity isn’t tied to a single geographic point, but to a continuous flow of history, spirit, and embodied experience.
Charting Your Own Course
the poem culminates in a powerful assertion of agency.”The map is where we from / Where we going? / We decide.” the map represents heritage, the past that shapes us. But the destination? That’s up to you.
This isn’t about rejecting the past, but about actively shaping the future, honoring ancestors while forging your own path.It’s a declaration of self-determination, a reclaiming of narrative control.
About Antu Yacob
Antu Yacob is a multi-talented artist - actor, playwright, screenwriter, and producer – whose work consistently explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural memory. Born in Ethiopia and raised across the US, her experiences inform her art with a unique and compelling outlook. Her upcoming play, On My deen, promises to be another powerful contribution to the American theatrical landscape. You can learn more about her extensive work and collaborations[here
