Quote by Birago Diop: “They are in the water that sleeps, they are in the water that runs.”

This line beautifully illustrates the omnipresence of ancestors, suggesting their spirits are woven into every aspect of the natural world, from still waters to flowing rivers. It conveys a sense of eternal presence and continuity, reinforcing the idea that the past remains an active, living force in our environment.

As Africa emerged from colonial shadows, there was a strong cultural drive to reconnect with and affirm indigenous belief systems. Diop’s poem 'Breaths' (Souffles), from which this is taken, became a foundational text for understanding this spiritual connection to the land and ancestors.

Senegalese poet and short story writer associated with the Négritude movement, best known for his adaptations of West African folk tales and for his poem 'Souffles,' from which this line is drawn. He worked as a veterinarian across West Africa and his literary work was deeply rooted in the oral traditions of the Wolof and other Senegalese cultures.