Birago Day celebrates the life and work of Birago Diop, a Senegalese poet and storyteller whose work restored general interest in African folktales. He was also a renowned Veterinarian and Diplomat. Birago Day is now an annual celebration of African and Caribbean Folklore worldwide!

Natty Mark Samuels: Author, Folklorist and Founder of The African School in Oxford began these celebrations last year. Natty creates beautiful poems and stories on botanical themes and traditional folklore and has kindly shared the two pieces below with Sheffield Botanical Gardens as part of the Birago Day celebrations.

For more information on Birago Day email Natty Mark Samuels: bantudub06@gmail.com

Visit the African School Website here.

See the full Birago Day Programme here.

The Encyclopedia of Rootical Folklore: Plant Tales from Africa and the Diaspora, by Natty Mark Samuels, will be published May 2024, by Scorched Earth Press.

The Interlude of Lemons

One enthused,

Spoke of lemon and lime marmalade.

Another of lemon juice, For sardine marinade:

When I mentioned the Timkat celebrations.

Someone said chilli and ginger,

Making a lemon pickle.

Another suggested its juice,

Recipe for baked apple:

From introducing Timkat in Ethiopia.

You see, in a country that accepted Christianity in the 4th century, Timkat is one of the major commemorations: remembering the baptism of Jesus. The imperial city of Gondor is a famed location for this annual celebration, taking place around and in Fasilades Pool, named after the 17th century emperor, who built the city. And now, you're thinking to yourself, what has this got to do with lemons! In the first country to depict a Christian symbol – a cross – on its coinage, what is the connection to citrus limon?

We'll, during this time of enhanced spirituality, there is a romantic interlude. Young people gather together and two lines are formed; one of young women, the other of their male peers. The latter hold a lemon in their hands, which is thrown across the room, to the female they're attracted to. If the attraction is shared, she catches the yellow item; if it isn't mutual, it is purposely dropped. Imagine the level of excitement, apprehension and the aftermath of disappointment! The genesis of marriage for some, could be the divorce of attraction for others; as the yellow projectile, accompanied by a smile, is sent with a prayer and best wishes.

I'd never heard,

Of a lemon, yogurt and oatmeal muffin.

Or of pancakes,

With lemon, banana and honey filling:

All from the talking of Timkat.

Someone suggested,

Lemon and garlic chicken.

Another said lemon and dill,

When preparing roasted salmon:

From discussing Timkat in Ethiopia.

The Legendary Sunflower

There is a story told of an ancient evening, when an esteemed triumvirate, used a celestial gem, to reach their destination. The same way the young refugees used floral iridescence, as a marker on the way to safety. Wherever they came from; Eritrea, Yemen, Ukraine, Syria and so on, they headed towards the yellow light, which had emblazoned their dreams. Yes, church steeples and tower blocks were higher, but nothing could diminish the emanation, nothing could obscure the light of hope.

It became legendary within the asylum network. It became a talismanic item, during conversations between the seekers; and the support workers spoke of it, like a passport to sanctuary. It became an emblem, the yellow flag above the haven.

A Sudanese refugee wrote a poem about it, which won a creative writing award. A Palestinian, during a t-shirt printing workshop, depicted the beloved flower on a t-shirt; copies were then made and used as a fundraising tool for the centre. It became known as a ''Sunny.'' You'd hear, Going to get me a Sunny,'' or ''It's for a good cause too,'' or ''Looking good in your Sunny!''

Ahhh, but you should see the faces, as they approached it. Beaming, glowing with joy, because the flower represented the beginning of support, launch pad into the new life. Some of them cried and you cried with them, watching from your abode. Happy to see them, walking into the warm embrace. The elation on their faces, walking towards the sunflower, must have appeared on those three faces, who used a star as their sacred guide.

The Interlude of Lemons

The Legendary Sunflower

Support our work