Poetry Slam: The Story I Carry by Elitoli Ayemi (Eastern Christian College)

Duration: 3:03 345 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The video features Elitoli Ayemi from Eastern Christian College Padmugree delivering a powerful poetry slam titled "The Story I Carry." Representing the first-semester political science department, the speaker addresses judges, organizers, fellow participants, and the audience to share a deeply personal reflection on heritage. The performance begins with an evocative description of a homeland situated far across deep forests, wide mountains, and flowing rivers, establishing a strong connection between the speaker's identity and the ancestral land they call home. Ayemi argues that true heritage extends beyond mere names or geographical locations; it is composed of the stories heard, songs sung, and languages spoken by ancestors who may have lived different lives than the current generation. Although the speaker acknowledges they were not present to witness the struggles or experiences of their forebears, they emphasize that these elements are carried within them like precious memories written in footsteps. The poem asserts that preserving culture is an active responsibility, as it is up to the younger generation to ensure traditions do not disappear but instead continue to breathe and live through their actions and voices. The performance concludes with a passionate plea for recognition and respect for this inherited legacy. Ayemi declares that their roots are deep and their voice is free, refusing to let their culture fade away. By standing proudly before the audience, the speaker invites everyone to listen to where they come from and to acknowledge that their heritage, ways, and story define who they are. The recitation ends with a grateful thank you, leaving a lasting impression of the importance of remembering, respecting, and carrying forward the stories of one's ancestors.

Read the full video transcript

A very pleasant morning to one and all prison here. Most respected judges, organizers, fellow participants and all the lovely audience present here today. I am ille from BA first semester politic department of political science proudly representing Eastern Christian College Padmugree. Today I stand here to recite a poem on the title the story I carry. Far across the forest so deep and wide, into the mountains where our ancestors resides, beyond the rivers that forever flow, there lies land that my heart does know. [snorts] A land of rich culture and heritage. A land that I proudly call my home. My heritage is not just a name. It is stories I heard, songs sung by my ancestors. I may not have lived their life, may not have seen the world they saw or experienced the struggles they face, but I carry pieces of them within me. I carry a story old and precious written in the footsteps of those who came. I carry the language my ancestors knew. Words that hold memories strong and true. And perhaps this is what heritage truly means. Not simply knowing where it came from, but remembering it, respecting it, and carrying it forward. I am too young to be speaking about the generations that came before me. But who else will if not me? It is my ways that carries the tradition. The tradition that is passed down on me that shows where I come from. I do not want my culture to disappear. I want the people to breathe and live it through me. My roots are deep. My voice is free. My culture is a part of me. I'll keep the stories proud and true. My heritage lives in all I do. Hear me, oh dear people. Let me speak of where I come from. Hear me, oh dear people, and give me a moment to proudly stand and say, "This is my heritage. This is my voice. [snorts] This is my story. And this is who I am. My heritage, my ways. Thank you.