Dear Editor,
Permit me to make this tribute to Sister Clementine Marshall, who began her transition to the world of ancestors on June 22.2023.
On July 11th the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) held a wake and reflection to honour the life and work of Sister Marshall. We expressed our love and gratitude to her family and the African community for giving us a wonderful” Queen Mother” who made an indelible contribution to our struggle for cultural and political liberation. We performed the necessary/appropriate rituals to ensure her passage to the world of her ancestors. In our tradition, the transitional process marks the end of our earthly activities and the beginning of our ancestral responsibilities. It is a never-ending cycle of coming and going out of being, and continuity ensures our collective existence.
While her departure is a loss to her family, the African community, ACDA and the nation we are “steeled” in the knowledge that as an ancestor, we have a formidable protector watching out for us – we are stronger now. Sister Marshall lives!
Her devotion to ACDA’s mission to promote a second cultural revolution, the first initiated by ASCRIA in the 1960s, is worth emulating by all Africans. She held to this conviction until the day of her passing and her commitment was uncompromising. Our Sister had become an institution in her own right. This was reflected in numerous ways. For example, her absence from any of ACDA’s activities was often questioned by the faithful who had become accustomed to her presence. Her arrival resulted in a spontaneous burst of appreciation and love. Often it represented the beginning or ramp-up of the action with her majestic singing and rhythmic dancing lighting up the atmosphere to the delight of all. Her energy appeared to have no limits. She was skillful in reading poems and short stories, whether on cultural or historical matters.
It would be remiss not to recall her first and regular participation in ACDA’s street corner meetings in the early years. In these outreaches she shared her knowledge and contributed to building our people’s consciousness. In ACDA and the wider African society Queen Mother Marshall was a conciliatory force capable of working with all. She embodied the true African spirit of collective responsibility and leadership, a quality that is often lacking in our present situation.
Our Sister will remain an inspiration to us. Tu-Tu-Shinda! We will win!
Yours sincerely,
Tacuma Ogunseye.
