The radio, with its breath like a trapped bee - Kuek Taitai

We, the red and white oxen, wash our hands,

shaking our heads angrily as we walk.

At dawn we will set fire to all the camps.

We will attack them like a woman

who goes at her daughter

for trying to marry with only one heifer.

We didn’t sleep last night,

anxious to jump in the dance.

My singing will be heard as far

as the radio, with its breath

like a trapped bee.

I am the full-grown ox with spreading horns,

son of the village,

truly son of Leak Puoc Wang.

---

Kuek Taitai (20th century) South Sudan

Translated by Terese Svoboda

Source: Sudan Open Archive: Cleaned the Crocodile's Teeth, Translated by Terese Svoboda, Greenfield Review Press, 1985