Upcoming conference, “Cultural Exchange and Engagement in Africa-China Relationships: Defining Possibilities, Realizing Opportunities.” May 9 to 11, 2014. At this conference, the Global Digital Humanities platform and the STU community partnering with the Africa Writers Trust and the Shantou Writers Association, will be examining culture in the era of globalization and digital technology by taking a […]
Translation of Susan Kiguli’s poems from Animal Portraits
One of the exciting things about creative collaboration is seeing old works in new print, form, version and language. In May, I’ll be taking part in the Spring 2014 Global Digital Humanities conference at Shantou University in China, and will conduct a poetry workshop and also participate in the conversation on International Literature. I’m delighted […]
Shortlisted Poems for the Brunel University African Poetry Prize 2014
Entrants to the prize had to submit ten poems. Here is a sample poem from each of the six shortlisted poets. VIOLA ALLO: From Farm to Schoolroom After George Ella Lyon I am from cassava, from mortars and pestles and grinding stones, from cracked corn, fried plantains, and pounded cocoyams. I am from shelled black beans, from […]
Bless the Broken Path, short story
I’m delighted to have my short story, Bless the Broken Path, published in Northeast Review. I welcome readers, comments, your feedback. Thank you.
The year begins with Translations
Excited to begin a creative project on Africa-China in conversation, approaching it through a cultural lens [read literature], producing stories, mine and others to be translated in Chinese. I’m not doing this alone. It is an initiative between the African Writers Trust (AWT) and the Global Digital Humanities at Shantou University. If you follow the […]
To Jesus on His Birthday, by Edna St. Vincent Millay
For this Christmas, the spirit, the essence: loving and giving, giving and loving. Moment to moment ’til it’s another year and another. The cyclic fuels us, stills us, peace all around. The tapestry of our lives held in the wheel. The portal of light opens, reveals yet again who what we are, where we are– […]
Silence Would Be Treason: Last Writings of Ken Saro-Wiwa
To read my review of Silence Would Be Treason: Last Writings of Ken Saro-Wiwa edited by Helen Fallon, Íde Corley and Laurence Cox, published jointly by CODESRIA and Daraja Press. Click this link African Writers Trust. Thank you.
Irki is for Homeland, Kadija Sesay’s first poetry book
Irki is one of the poetry books published in 2013 that one ought to read before the year ends. Reason, it takes the idea of knitting to a poetic level that becomes crucial in understanding how each individual poem threads into a collection of 53 poems structured under four parts. “Letting Go,” which is Part […]
Helene Johnson’s poem, “Bottled” its connection with the Nigerian movie (Nollywood) and Ugandan music
The concept of “Bottled” explored through poetry, music, and Nigerian movie. Is power and control the meat of this concept or there’s much more? Other than taking a simple and deductive approach, what might be hidden beneath? Is it enough to go with some of the joys of artistic expression–the ability to “speak of the […]
I shall wear purple poem
Recently my friend Jackee posted on facebook her picture in a beautiful purple dress and I couldn’t help but comment how wonderful she looked, how in fact, purple was her color. Jokingly, she quoted the poem by Jenny Joseph which I’m posting here, which I find a sweet read on a Thursday evening. With the […]
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