ECOCRITICAL INSIGHTS IN NOL ALEMBONG’S AND JOHN NGONG KUM NGONG'S POEMS

Abstract

This paper examines the ecocritical dimensions of selected poems by Nol Alembong and John Ngong Kum Ngong, focusing on Alembong’s Forest Echoes (2010) and Ngong’s Season of Shadows (2019). Specifically, it analyses Alembong’s “Green Call” and Ngong’s “The Penguin’s Brooding” as environmentally conscious texts that articulate humanity’s relationship with nature and the broader ecological crisis. The study demonstrates how both poems intertwine intellectual reflection and emotional appeal to heighten ecological awareness and emphasise the interconnectedness of living systems. While “Green Call” foregrounds the urgency of global environmental protection and sustainable practices, “The Penguin’s Brooding” highlights the fragile interdependence within ecosystems, particularly through symbolic representations of animal life and habitat vulnerability. Both poems evoke culturally embedded natural settings, prompting an exploration of the complex relationship between nature and culture and the ways cultural practices shape environmental outcomes. Drawing on ecocritical theories—especially ecocentrism and critiques of environmental injustice—the paper interrogates the poets’ visions of a non-hierarchical, interdependent ecological future. It argues that these works advocate ethical responsibility towards the environment while challenging anthropocentric assumptions that privilege human interests over those of other species. Ultimately, the study shows that the poems not only critique ecological degradation but also propose imaginative pathways towards sustainability, ecological harmony, and a more balanced coexistence between humans and the natural world.