By The Beauty Of Ned Nwoko’s “Rumours Can’t Shake Royalty”
Ned Nwoko
Introduction
Ned Nwoko’s “Rumours Can’t Shake Royalty,” posted on his social media handles recently to poke his traducers, is a contemporary poem that engages with themes of love, loyalty, resilience, and personal sovereignty in the face of gossip and public scrutiny. The poem is both a personal declaration and a broader reflection on societal values, particularly within the African cultural context. It embodies the African oral tradition’s emphasis on storytelling, reputation, and communal discourse while simultaneously asserting individual authority and control over personal narratives.
Themes and Cultural Significance
1. The Royal and Patriarchal Authority
The poem’s title and tone reinforce the concept of royalty, which is deeply embedded in African traditions. In many African societies, kings, chiefs, and noble figures are regarded as the custodians of history, morality, and communal stability. The poet positions himself within this framework, portraying an unshaken, unwavering stance against rumour-mongers. This aligns with African ideals of male authority, where family heads, particularly those of status, are expected to be resilient against public opinion.
Regina Daniels, wife of the poet during her last birthday
2. Marriage, Polygamy, and Family Honour
The poem highlights African traditions regarding marriage and family structure. Nwoko’s references to “two beautiful sons” and “baby number three” evoke the cultural expectation of lineage and procreation as markers of success and honour. The defence of his marriage against rumours of divorce reflects an African preoccupation with family stability and the social implications of marital disputes. Furthermore, the line “A divorcee? A non-virgin? Not mine to marry” underscores traditional African (and particularly Nigerian) views on marriage, where virginity and past marital status can be significant considerations for men of influence.
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3. The Power of Storytelling and Communal Judgement
African cultures have long valued oral storytelling as a means of preserving history and shaping public morality. Gossip, as a communal activity, plays a significant role in social regulation. In the poem, the poet acknowledges the power of gossip but ultimately dismisses it as “tales” and “comedy.” This rejection of collective narratives in favour of personal agency reflects a modern, individualistic approach clashing with traditional communal scrutiny.
Regina Daniels
4. Justice and Retribution
The poem’s reference to a bounty and legal consequences for those spreading rumours resonates with traditional African justice systems, which often blend communal arbitration with personal retribution. In pre-colonial African societies, defamation could lead to social exile or reparation demands. Nwoko’s use of “A bounty stands on your trail, ten million strong” modernises this cultural principle, suggesting that justice is still actively pursued in contemporary contexts.
Literary Techniques and Style
1. Rhyme and Rhythm
The poem employs a simple rhyming scheme, creating a rhythmic and almost chant-like quality reminiscent of traditional African oral poetry. The repetition of certain phrases—such as “Let them talk, let them guess”—reinforces defiance and resilience, much like the proverbial wisdom found in African maxims.
2. Symbolism and Metaphors
“Built on steel” – This metaphor reinforces the idea of an unbreakable union, a common symbol in African storytelling where strength and endurance are valued.
“Tick-tock, tick-tock” – The use of time imagery creates tension, reflecting the inevitable collapse of lies and the triumph of truth, echoing African proverbs about patience and justice.
“Victory knows” – The poem concludes on a triumphant note, a structure akin to the moral conclusions in African folktales where virtue (or resilience) ultimately prevails.
3. Use of Direct Address and Personal Voice
The poem is deeply personal, with the speaker directly addressing an unseen audience (the gossipers and the public). This mirrors African traditions where chiefs, elders, and storytellers use performative speech to assert authority and correct misinformation. The authoritative voice underscores personal pride, reflecting the cultural weight placed on status and reputation.
Conclusion
Ned Nwoko’s “Rumours Can’t Shake Royalty” is more than a personal defence against gossip—it is a reflection of African values concerning leadership, marriage, lineage, and justice. It embraces traditional storytelling techniques while incorporating modern themes of media scrutiny and personal agency. The poem affirms the African philosophy that truth and integrity will outlast rumours, making it a contemporary reinforcement of cultural resilience.
The Poem by Ned Nwoko
Rumours Can’t Shake Royalty
“Ah, the gossips, hungry and sly,
“Spinning their tales, their desperate cry.
“His arrest is coming!” but who is he?
“Even they don’t know, it’s comedy!
“And Regina left? Oh, what a tale, When she’s right here, steady as hail.
“Wrapped in love, in laughter’s glow, Rocking our babies, watching them grow.
“Their lies will fade, their voices dim, Yet here we stand unmoved, untrimmed.
“For love like ours, built on steel, Doesn’t break, doesn’t kneel.
”Let’s Set the Record Straight Still standing, still thriving, unshaken, supreme.
“Two beautiful sons, love’s sweetest dream.
“No rumoured child outside, That ship never sailed,
“Let them retire that story, tired and stale.
“A divorcee? A non-virgin? Not mine to marry My standards stand, untouched, unfazed.
“Some may cry, some may curse,
“But my love, my life, my rules come first.
“Justice Is Serve With a Smile
“To the faceless gossip, the shadow behind a keypad,
“Your fifteen minutes are on rewind.
“A bounty stands on your trail, ten million strong,
“Tick-tock, tick-tock you won’t run for long.
“Enjoy your fame, your fleeting day, Truth will rise, as lies decay.
“My name is mine, my path is clear, Forward, onward, year by year.
“And Here’s the Cherry on Top…
“Just when they thought they had their say, Baby number three is on the way!
“A new heartbeat, a love so grand, Another blessing in my hand.
“Let them talk, let them guess, While we live, while we bless.
“For at the end, when curtains close, It’s us, my love, that victory knows.
“Because love, true love, does not sway, It roars, it reigns, come what may.
Ebenezer Adurokiya writes from Warri, Delta State
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