PRESS RELEASE-THE BABISHAI 2017 HAIKU SHORTLIST IS OUT

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19 JULY 2017 PRESS RELEASE BABISHAI 2017 HAIKU SHORTLIST IS OUT The three esteemed Babishai 2017 Haiku judges, Adjei Agyei-Baah, co-founder of the Africa Haiku Network, Mercy Ituri, a landscape designer and award-winning haikuist from Kenya and Emmanuel Kalusian, editor of the Mamba Journal, had an uphill task of selecting the shortlist of the 2017 Babishai Haiku prize. This upheaval task, with over twice the number of submissions as last year, was an evident reward, with a significant increase in the interest of the African haiku. The shortlist is filled with unwavering talent, intricate African imagery and recognizable brilliance. Congratulations to all those on the shortlist, who come from various parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Below, in no particular order, are the shortlisted:- 1. Charlotte Akello from Uganda 2. Usman Karofi from Nigeria 3. Kariuki wa Nyamu from Kenya 4. Anthony Itopa Obaro from Nigeria 5. Ahmad Holderness from Nigeria 6. Fred Kweku Forson from Ghana 7. Acen Miriam Carolyne from Uganda 8. Kwao Jonathan Tetteh from Ghana 9. Nnedi Ezenwa Ohaeto from Nigeria 10. Alawonde Theophilus Femi from Nigeria 11. Justice Joseph Prah from Ghana 12. Osemwengie Zion from Nigeria 13.  Kuadegbeku Pamela from Ghana 14. Abubasam Fahad Mutumba from Uganda 15. Akor Emmanuel Oche from Nigeria 16. Dan’bala Umar from Ghana 17. Obaji-Nwali Shegun from Nigeria You may read the full winning haikus from here http://babishainiwe.com/2017/07/19/babishai-haiku-2017-shortlist/ The winners will be announced on Sunday 6 August at the Babishai 2017 poetry festival dinner. Three winners will receive cash prizes, will be published in the Mamba journal and participate in selected literary festivals around the continent. Festival programme is here:- http://babishainiwe.com/2017/07/17/babishai2017-poetry-festival-programme/ Sincerely, The Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation Organising Committee Email: babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com Tel: +256 703147862 Twitter: @BNPoetryAward -- The Babishai 2017 Poetry Festival runs from 4 - 6 August.