Prayer To Masks

Prayer to masks
Léopold Sédar Senghor

Léopold Sédar Senghor
• Born in Joal, Senegal in 1906.
• Was educated in France and worked as a professor of French
literature before serving in the army in WW II.
• After the war he became involved in politics. He was elected
as a senator in Senegal in 1948.
• Served as the country’s first president.
• First African elected as a member of the Académie Française.
• His poetry celebrates the African experience.
• His works combine traditional African forms with European
literary techniques.
• He also wrote extensively on politics, culture and the
philosophy of Négritude.
• Died in France in 2001
Background knowledge
Understand the value and significance of ancestors in African
culture:
• Relationship between ancestors and the living
• In some cultures, inanimate objects, such as a mask – may
possess the soul /spirit of an ancestor – you are able to
communicate with ancestors through these objects.
Summary
• The speaker greets the masks in silence, recognising
their roles as protectors of history and culture. The
masks are described as being free from the marks of
aging, and having power to shape the speakers
identity. The speaker asks the masks to listen to him
as he speaks about the struggles of Africa. The
speaker reflects on the role of masks in the rebirth of
the world. Despite being called derogatory names,
the speaker asserts that they are gaining power
through their connection to the soil
Masks = a strong symbol of heritage and
title identity. Masks are often used in religious
rituals, dances, and ceremonies, and are
Apostrophe: Direct believed to embody the spirits of
ancestors or gods.
address or Appeal to
higher power - ancestors
Prayer to masks
• traditional masks in African culture
–these masks embody the spirit of
ancestors
Form and structure
• Line lengths vary.
• No stanzas.
• Free verse – “conversation” with the masks
- suitable for the passionate and emotional

reflection.
Rhetorical questions – emphasise the importance of the
African culture.
Personal pronouns – engages the reader
Apostrophe - The speaker
addresses the masks
Represent diversity of ancestors/
different rituals to engage ancestors.
1st person – more intimate and personal lives - the ancestors are
alive in the present
Indicates reverence/awe – he generation.
acknowledges their power.
Senghor's father was named Diogoye, which means “lion”.
The speaker calls on the family's guardian

mask looks like a lion's head - symbol of strength, bravery, pride –
qualities needed by people of Africa to overcome challenges
Women are not allowed -
sacred place/shrine where rituals are performed patriarchal society
Solemn– rigid practices

The masks have a cleansing ability – cleanses the atmosphere
(sacred place)- the masks transcend the natural world
ancestors There is a strong, connection to his ancestors in this space – the speaker
is able to inhale the wisdom, values etc from his ancestors
Emphasises the power of masks. Metaphor - the masks are
Idealised representations of timeless, pure and free from any
previously living faces. limitations of physical appearance.
shaped/created the speakers face
He views his writing as a sacred talent that

reminds people of their beautiful heritage
Speaker ultimately
requests for guidance
Tone: pleading/desperation from the ancestors in
Desperate for assistance these lines
Colonial rule is coming to an end
suffering, vulnerable
Metaphor: The suffering of Africa is compared to that of a vulnerable
princess. - highlights the pain/struggle / exploitation
Metaphor- Africa & Europe are connected like a mother & baby.
Connection through navel- Africa still dependent on Europe. Battling with being
autonomous.
generations after the ancestors
Simile - Those who fought ('children') have sacrificed their lives like a poor person sacrifices
his last clothing. They willing to sacrifice everything.
Personification -After the colonisers leave, the country has a chance to be 'reborn', change and grow.
Metaphor - The children are the catalyst – compared to leaven (yeast). They are essential to
the change and growth, like leaven is needed for bread to rise.
Hyperbole: Importance of preserving cultural heritage .
colonialism, oppression, war, violence
shout The ancestors
Damaged but not eliminated. Implies it can be repaired.
Lost dreams
Rhetorical Questions - Africa will provide the needed values that Europe have forgotten in the
process of its obsession with materialistic gain.
Colonisers Derogatory labels
Emphasises oppression: the colonisers have

Anaphora Fearful image stripped them of their identity and replaced
1st person – us – indicates unity it with a label.
Contrast Africans are connected to the earth.
Symbol: cultural heritage,

challenges - they become stronger in ability to create joy and
the face of their obstacles (resilience) beauty.
Themes
The value of the ancestors
Freedom & New Beginnings
Oppression and resilience

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Prayer to masks

Léopold Sédar Senghor

• Free verse – “conversation” with the masks

- suitable for the passionate and emotional

The speaker calls on the family's guardian

Solemn– rigid practices

shaped/created the speakers face

He views his writing as a sacred talent that

Colonial rule is coming to an end

colonialism, oppression, war, violence

shout The ancestors

Damaged but not eliminated. Implies it can be repaired.

Emphasises oppression: the colonisers have

Symbol: cultural heritage,

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