By Mathias Essien
Gbanabom Hallowell is a distinguished Sierra Leonean poet, journalist, and human rights activist. Educated at Vermont College of Union & Institute University in the United States, Hallowell has established himself as a profound voice in African literature, particularly known for his works that document and reflect upon the political and social turmoil of his homeland. Among his most notable works are Drumbeats of War and My Immigrant Blood, both powerful poetic expressions of the African condition. In The Dining Table, Hallowell demonstrates his mastery of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to confront the aftermath of war, the struggle for power, and the enduring scars left on Sierra Leone by years of brutal conflict.
The Dining Table is a harrowing, poignant, and deeply symbolic poem that encapsulates the horrors of the Sierra Leone Civil War—a decade-long conflict that ravaged the nation from 1991 to 2002. In this poem, Hallowell paints a chilling picture of a society torn apart by violence, greed, and the insatiable thirst for power. The poem is not merely a literary reflection but a documentation of lived reality, expressed through vivid imagery and evocative metaphors.
The central metaphor of the poem—the dining table—symbolizes Sierra Leone itself. The “dinner” laid upon it is emblematic of the nation’s vast natural wealth, particularly its diamonds, which became both a blessing and a curse. These diamonds, referred to in global discourse as “blood diamonds,” fueled the war, drawing both government forces and rebel factions into a deadly competition for control.
Hallowell constructs a narrative in which two primary forces battle for control: the “guerrillas” and the “crocodiles.” The guerrillas are depicted as revolutionary elements, initially rising in opposition to the corrupt and ineffective government. However, their methods quickly devolve into the same brutalities they sought to oppose. On the other hand, the “crocodiles”—a metaphor for government troops and their allies—are portrayed as equally ruthless, indifferent to the suffering of civilians, and driven by arrogance and a sense of impunity. Both groups, in the poet’s eyes, are guilty of widespread atrocities, including murder, maiming, and the conscription of child soldiers.
The poem is deeply personal. Hallowell is not just an observer; he is a participant, a survivor, and a witness. His pain and disappointment resonate through the stanzas as he describes the bloody scenes, the psychological trauma, and the destruction of innocence. The line “When the playground is emptied of children’s toys, who needs a roadblock?” is particularly striking. It conveys the tragic transformation of society, where places meant for joy and learning become battlegrounds, and children—symbols of hope—are thrust into roles of violence and destruction.
In the second stanza, the poem’s tone darkens further as the poet revisits the atrocities committed by both warring sides. The guerrillas roam freely, sowing fear and death. The crocodiles, no less menacing, exploit their power to maim and kill indiscriminately. The population caught in this crossfire faces not only the direct consequences of war but also the outbreak of secondary crises such as cholera—an epidemic that decimates the already weakened population.
By the third stanza, the poet expresses a desire for change. He wishes to become a revolutionary—not in the violent sense of the word, but as an agent of transformation, advocating for justice, truth, and healing. However, he also acknowledges his limitations. Having barely survived the war, and with no institutional support, his revolutionary zeal is tempered by the weight of reality.
The central theme that underpins The Dining Table is the brutality and horror of war. Through visceral language and haunting imagery, Hallowell brings to light the devastation wrought upon his homeland. Words like “gun wounds,” “blood,” “maimed,” and “cholera” anchor the poem in a grim reality, leaving the reader with a stark image of Sierra Leone’s suffering.
The war, at its core, is portrayed as a product of human greed—particularly the desire to control the country’s diamond wealth.
The forced recruitment of children into the conflict underscores the depth of societal collapse. Both the government and the so-called liberators fail the people, turning their struggle into a selfish pursuit of power. Despite the devastation, the poet’s yearning to be a change-maker hints at a lingering hope for renewal.
The setting of the poem is crucial in reinforcing its message. The events unfold during nighttime, symbolizing darkness—not just physical but moral and spiritual. Words such as “moon” and “night” are used to emphasize this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. The geographic setting is unmistakably Sierra Leone, as revealed through direct references and the poet’s background.
