Elegy as Self-Eulogy: A Deconstructive Analysis of Nana Asma’u’s “Elegy for Bello”

This paper offers a deconstructive reading of Nana Asma’u’s “Elegy for Bello” as the reflection of her own personal life. The virtues she extols for the deceased on the surface meaning of the text turn to be interpreted as self-admiration of her own personal characters and qualities. Derrida’s Deconstructive theory, then, provides other perspectives upon which to interpret the poem. An Elegy in this sense then turns to be read as a Semi-Autobiography; the persona does celebrate her personal values and establish her identity to the reader. People interpret themselves simply through mirroring themselves by eulogizing other people. Whatever one says about others returns to claim their position in them.