praise song
traditional African poetic form, in which the object of the poem is described in adoring and flattering ways
fathoming
measuring the depth of something or penetrating to get to the truth of something
grained
having a rough, textured surface
mantling
enveloping or cloaking (something)
plantain
a tropical fruit with green skin, similar to a banana, that is a staple food in many tropical regions
gill
the respiratory organ of fish, which allows them to breathe underwater
flame tree
one of several species of tree with bright red flowers
