OSHO TUNDE; POET, ACCOUNTANT AND NIGHTINGALE, FROM NIGERIA

Osho Tunde Matthew is a Poet, Accountant, and Nightingale; from Nigeria

First, I will like to express my joy and gratitude for making the prestigious #Babishai2020 haiku long list.
I am a fresh graduate of Accounting and poet resident in Lagos state, Nigeria. I am a Nigerian Nightingale whose works have appeared in a number of poetry anthologies. Aside from books, I love coffee and nature.
About why I write; I write to break the silence of my body, to convey its discontents, joy and other activities. And poetry is my tool.

I was inclined to submit for the Babishai2020 haiku award mainly because I was searching for growth. I have always seen Babishai Niwe foundation as one of the indispensable literary platforms in Africa to raise my voice in such a very noisy world.
Also, the amazing works of Marial Awendit, Kariuki wa Nyamu and other past winners on this platform woke my inclination. Here I am, jumping for the joy of growing and belonging.

The process of writing this haiku was quite taxing and exciting at the same time. It was my first time. Cramming a story in three lines could take a degree of diligence and patience. I allowed the poem to speak to me in many ways– for instance, how broken places could still be home.

I wanted to bear witness for nature existing under my feet without any alteration or misrepresentation of reality. I was deliberate. I took risks of words and form to cut a haiku that could simply tend imagination to accessible experience.

in the wall

deep opening abandoned

geckoes’ room

The future of African haiku in my opinion is glorious. You will be thrilled by the miracles, the various revelations these young poets are making regarding our shared experience as Africans and as humans. Beautiful voices like Ali Znaidi, Kariuki wa Nyamu, Andrew Herbert, Praise Osawaru, Justice Joseph, Ahmad Holderness, Rose Wangari, to mention a few are on the rise with what the foundation is doing. Thumbs up!

Thank you

….

PRAISE OSAWARU FROM NIGERIA, ESCAPES SOLACE THROUGH WRITING

Praise writes because it instills calmness and confidence.

Praise Osawaru, 20, is a Nigerian writer and (performance) poet of Bini Descent. He's currently an undergrad at the University of Benin, Nigeria. He's mostly fascinated by things atypical and/or containing speculative elements, but also dabbles in realism. Most of his works are inspired or drawn from his personal experiences, often mixed with some lies or altered truth. As the only boy child of his parents, he found solace in penning his thoughts and emotions, and it evolved into

something stunning. His works (poetry and prose) have appeared or are forthcoming in _African Writer, Afritondo, Analogies & Allegories Literary Magazine, EroGospel, Feral, Kalahari Review, Perhappened Mag, Praxis Magazine, Serotonin,_ and elsewhere. He was also longlisted for _African Writers Award 2019_ and shortlisted in the _2019 Kreative Diadem Writing Contest_. He spends his time reading, binge-watching, writing, overthinking, or admiring nature. You can find him on

Instagram/Twitter: @wordsmithpraise.

Why do I write?

That question always frightens me, because people expect a profound reason as to why a person writes. I write for myself and anyone who finds solace in words. I write because it's a medium in which I contentedly express and can be myself. I write because it helps unload my prickling thoughts and instills in me calmness and confidence. I write because I've experienced something, and sharing it could help others deal with their current situation and the unpredictability of life. I write because the voyage of life can be gloomy and writing is my torch with which I banish the flirtatious darkness. I write because it keeps me, my thoughts, and my memories alive.

Why was I inclined to submit to Babishai?

I'd heard about the Award from a friend, so when I saw the call for submission for this year, I asked myself, why not? I love to experiment with my writing; always looking to try new styles and forms. And I also love nature, so I decided to submit to _Babishai__ 2020 Haiku Award.

_I'm glad I did, and that I made the longlist.

My Process in Writing My Haiku?

Firstly, I read previously shortlisted works on _Babishai Haiku Award_, then I found an African Haiku Journal, _The Mamba_. I downloaded some issues and also read, to acquaint myself fully with Haiku (I previously thought it was just 5, 7, 5 but I learned it was beyond that). Then I

meditated.

Where I live in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, there are grasses in the environment. We even have some banana trees in our compound. And I often like to come out of my home, stare at the surrounding, and gaze at the sky when I'm ruminating. Mostly to get some air from excessive indoor

time.

So, I was outside on the porch, and it was windy. I saw the trees subjected to the blowing wind, and the idea was birthed. But I was also faced with not sounding cliché because a number of people have written about how the wind makes the tree dance. So I decided to use a different and unique language. "Song and musical" came to mind as a result of a musical I'd just watched. When you think about it; the trees reacting to the wind, it's nature's musical. It's all about seeing things

atypically.

the wind plays

every tree sways to its song-

nature's musical

What's the future of African Haiku?

Looking at the history of the _Babishai Haiku Award_ and the shortlisted works, I can say that Haiku has a place in Africa. Also, when I googled African Haiku and came across _The Mamba Journal_ I was amused. I mean, there are a lot of Haiku writers in Africa. And I believe we will keep

carrying the torch, and people will disbelieve that you can't tell so much in little words. Eventually, this 'traditional form' will sound not-so-traditional.

How are we able to share this Haiku Experience with Nigeria and with

the world?

Well, there's little motivation for Nigerian writers to engage in Haikus. I believe if there were more platforms and literary bodies and contests promoting Haiku in Nigeria, we would be able to share the

experience with everyone.

But, for now, social media is a tool with which we can reach thousands of people, and share our Haikus with the world.

Thanks.

What the 'hell' is Christian writing?

What the 'hell' is Christian writing?

Every artistic work deserves a home; not to be discarded like an orphan. Where though, do we place Christian writing? If it's written by a Ugandan, does it fall under 'Self help books by Africans ?' Or rather, in order to be politically correct, do we place it under religious creative non-fiction, just next to the bibles?'

During the #Babishai2016 poetry festival, we held a session on Christian writing, with Paul Kisakye, author of Prodigal Love and Roxanna Aliba Kazibwe, author of My Love is Not Afraid.

What comes to mind when we speak of Christian writing? Paul Kisakye says that Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar's inspirational material are popular. Furthermore, Christian literature illuminates Christian values and beliefs. It's a type of writing that voices Christianity.

Paul Kisakye's book, Prodigal Love, is sold mainly to the Christian market and for him, he would never produce art for art's sake.

Courtesy photo

Roxanna Kazibwe's poetry collection, My Love is Not Afraid, evokes a feeling of restoration and hope and through that, she's certain to have received the purpose of being a Christian writer. 

A Christian book emits certain values. Another great example, Roxanna says, is Chronicles of Narnia. 

Roxanna at the 2015 Storymoja Festival 

The Chronicles of Narnia,  fantasy book, heightens the Christian experience by engaging values like forgiveness, loyalty, prayer and faith. 

The Da Vinci Code, on the other hand, tackles the church and religion but because it's not a portrayal of Christian values, is not categorised as such.

During the conversation, audience members suggested that Christian writing is just a label used in order to gain an edge over other literary markets.

The #Babishai2017 poetry festival is scheduled for 4-6 August, beginning with a trek across Mabira Forest; Poetry@Mabira.

Follow us on Twitter @BNPoetryAward.

#BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL EXHIBITOR'S FORM

Dear Exhibitor,

Do you have music, books, art and craft, jewellery, children’ s stories or any other family friendly product you would like to sell? Have you heard of Maria’s Place in Ntinda, the homeliest of Ntinda homes?

We invite you to market and sell your material during the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, from 24-26 August, 0900h to 1700h, in one of Kampala- Ntinda’s lushest gardens, at Maria’s Place. With guests from the academia, arts, corporate world, schools and all around the world, we are certain that your products will fall in the right hands.

Please provide  the following information:-

1.       The name of your organization

2.       Name the exhibitor(s) Maximum of 2.

3.       Name the products to be sold.

If they are books or CDs, kindly provide the titles, authors, producer of publisher, year of publications and email the cover pages to babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

4.       Your contact information:-

Email address: 

 Tel no:             

5.       Each exhibitor will be provided with lunch and exhibition space. If you would like the Babishai sales team to sell your products, that is also acceptable.

6.       The exhibition fee for three days is 100,000/-. Kindly send payment via Airtel money on

+256 751 703226 or MTN mobile money on +256 782 764335 by 5^th August 2016.

Early registration fee is 70,000/- and the deadline is June 30^th 2016.

7.       For any inquiry, call George Kiwanuka on + 256 703 147862 or email babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

     

MAGUNGA WANTS TO READ MORE UGANDAN BLOGGERS

Magunga Williams a blogger and creative writer from Kenya will attend the #Babishai2016 poetry festival in Kampala, from 24-26 August. He was nominated for the 2016 #BAKEAWARDS-Bloggers Association of Kenya Awards and runs a large online bookstore.

1.       The Magunga online bookstore is thriving and making a large difference regarding accessibility of literature, how did this idea emerge?

It is one of those things I have always wanted to know. It stemmed from a heartbreak I had when I was a kid when a neighbourhood library was shut down after its owner passed away. I cannot even remember his name. But I remember how much I loved going to that place. It was my refuge. When we were sent home due to unpaid school fees, my brother and I would visit that library. It had so many storybooks.

Time passed. That heartbreak healed, like very few heartbreaks usually do, but like many heartbreaks, it was not forgotten. Fast forward to 2014-15 and my partner and I are walking around Nairobi bookshops trying to get her poetry collection into bookstore unsuccessfully. Then I realized many self published authors, and many other authors had trouble distributing and marketing their books. I saw a vacuum and nature did the thing it does with vacuums. Now here I am, managing an online bookstore from the comfort of my house. One step at a time, because that is how I was taught to do things.

2.       How may we support this fabulous invention of yours?

How can you help? I throw that question back to you. You read books. You consume them with so much relish. Tell me what challenges you experience and then we can have a conversation about how you think we can solve them. I want to reach as many Africans as possible with this venture. Put a book in as many hands as possible.

3.       Which are the most popular books so far, from the Magunga online bookstore?

Oh! Elnathan John’s book, Born On A Tuesday, lasted all of two days and they were gone. Same with The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma.

Then there is Den of Inequities  and Last Villains of Molo  by Kinyanjui Kombani.

Ooooh! Any book by Zukiswa Wanner rarely stays for long. See, Zukiswa and Kombani have learnt that books are products like any other; you have to market them aggressively, and that is working very well for them.

(Do not tell my competitors, hehehe).

4.       What kind of poetry do you like to read?

I like easy to read poetry. The kind that affects you without your mind being forced to understand whatever is going on. Think Warsan Shire, Amu Nnadi, Abigail Arunga, Sheila Okong’o and Eric Onyango Otieno.

Woi! This chap called Saddiq Dzukogi is phenomenal.

I still do not know what the difference between poetry and spoken word is. Because Peter Kagayi is amazing.

5.       Were you surprised by your invitation to the Babishai Poetry festival last year and why?

Yes. I was surprised. Because I do not consider myself anyone of note in these literary circles, much less in poetry circles. I am a pretender. I know as much as Jon Snow.

6.       What do you expect from the festival this year?

I expect more fun. Last year was so well organized and so informative. Guests were treated well, the classes were just as good as they can get. Beverley is an angel. I can say that given the success of last year’s festival, then I am hoping to see a bigger crowd.

7.       Where would you place Christian literature in this secular world?

Hehehehe. You know everything has its own space, yeah? People who like stories will enjoy it regardless of whether it is Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Legion Maria, Polo Piach  or Atheist. Remember that book, My Book of Bible Stories that we used to read as kids? Loved that book. Not because it was Christian, but because I was entertained by the stories. Left to Tell by Imaculee Ilibagiza is a sublime story about a woman finding God in the midst of the Rwandan genocide. But regardless of it’s religious inclinations, the story is well told. But of course there are material that I do not see people other than those of that faith buying. For instance, many people will not read The Hand of God simply because they have no interest in it.

Am I making sense?

8.       Congratulations on your 2016 #BAKEAWARDS nomination, who are some of your favourite Ugandan bloggers?

Peter Kagayi

Harriet Anena

Soooo Many Stories

But you have to agree with me that Ugandans have not really taken to blogging like we Kenyans have. Your internet keeps getting shut down every time the Leopard wakes up on the wrong side of the bed.

9.       What food in your opinion, is best for writers?

The edible kind

10.   Any parting remarks?

Be a good sport and buy books. Sharing is caring with other things, but not when it comes to books. So go to www.books.magunga.com and make an order now. Haven’t you been told that the best place to be is in between the pages of a good book?

HARRIET ANENA, LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HER

Harriet Anena is the Online ContentProducer at the African Media Centre for Excellence and the author of A Nation In Labour, a poetry collection. She’s also a guest at the #Babshai2016 Poetry Festival from 24-26 August in Kampala.

On stage

Anena, your production, “I Bow for my Boobs,” was described as Political Erotica. Would you say this was an accurate description?

Yes. I deliberately framed the performance around political erotica. First, because my up-coming poetry collection is centered on political erotica. Secondly, politics and erotica are provocative topics on their own and even more provocative when merged; and considering Uganda is just walking off a hot political podium, I thought it relevant to focus the performance on the politics and erotica theme. 

when she's normal

What were some of the most surprising reactions to that performance?

I sort of expected most of the reactions to the performance – the shock, the awe and the pats on the back. After my first week of rehearsal, I was sure the person going on stage would not be Harriet Anena but someone new, someone has known before; someone no one suspects exists; except my director. The only reaction that surprised me was that people found the performance humorous. There was laughter throughout the performance and I could hear a laugh first and a sad sigh later as I performed the central poem of the day, I Bow for My Boobs’, in which I breakdown. 

Have people expressed incredulity at how there is an overt difference between your art and your demeanour?

Yes. A lot of people who have interacted with me know Anena is reserved; speaks only when she has to; shies away from crowds and is not the type who will be in your face. What they saw on stage was a different Anena. Some of the questions I got after the show was; ‘What did you drink before the performance?’ and ‘Was that really you on stage?”. It’s a pleasant reaction, which I still continue to receive, and I largely credit my director, Elizabeth Pamela Acaye, for it.  She literally dug me out of my cage, ensured I immersed myself in my poetry so I can lift them off the page to the stage. 

a star

What are some of your biggest fears as a poet?

My greatest fear has been whether I could ever perform my poems on stage and do it as well as I have done on paper. I think I’m on the way to overcoming that fear wholly, soon. Presently, the looming legal restrictions on how artists can express themselves, through the anti-pornography law, is what has been bothering my mind. I do hope we’ll find a way around it because as it stands, the law is ‘unimplementable’ and a mere diversion from more crucial things facing Uganda.

In an ideal world, how different would poets be than they are today?

In an ideal world, poets would live on poetry ALONE.

What are some of your expectations at the Babishai Poetry Festival?

I hope to see more Ugandans - young and old - converging to celebrate poetry and participate in the various activities and events at the festival.

When it comes to food, what in your opinion, should poets feed on?

Hahaha I love sweet bananas, Odii and sugarcane. Try it out.

Any parting remarks?

I am delighted and encouraged at the expanding spaces for poetic expressions, especially in Kampala today. I’m hoping the wave of poetry sweeps across the country and extends to upcountry areas. Poetry is all around us, we just need to be awaken to see it, feel it, live it. Together, we can make poetry a movement in Uganda and beyond.

Thank you!

The #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival runs from 24-26 August in Kampala. For details, visit www.babishainiwe.com or email, festival@babishainiwe.com

WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND WHERE WE'RE GOING #BABISHAI2016, #BABISHAI2017

Babishai Poetricks is an adventure toolkit that encourages children to maximise their creative potential using poetry, creative illustrations, movement and sound and inter-personal communication.

Storytelling time

Every child has something to say

 This programme, under the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, was launched on June 16^th 2015, on The day of The African Child, to promote new spaces for children aged 4 to 12. Having visited and facilitated in many primary schools in Uganda, the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation noted a significant lack of African poetry for children. Babishai Poetriska is a toolkit divided into eleven adventures that emphasizes the use of the five human senses as a wholesome way of describing and articulating, builds on team-work and introspection to develop children individually and with others.

The busiest times are during the holidays. Over the Easter Weekend, Friday, Saturday and Monday, there were nine children who underwent the training. Ranging from 3 to 10, we articulated the five senses, compared colors to emotions, improvised with kites to determine the power of wind and had an impromptu spelling bee. This coupled with story-telling and composing their own poems, gave the children a real Babishai experience.

Daniella,one of the trainers

During the Babishai Poetry Festival which will take place from 24-2 August 2016, we will have an entire day for primary school children to perform in poetry and theater and hold a pan discussion, presenting their case for poetry.

We partner it hike-minded organizations like Malaika Educare, which is one of the largest mobile children’s libraries in Africa. With over on thousand children’s books for children in various towns, they ably deliver books to individual homes on a weekly basis.

This year on June 16^th, The Day of The African Child, we will launch the Babishai Poetricks Leadership Academy for African Children Living in Africa. The main pillar of this academy is Creative Leadership Through Creative Readership. The target is African children from 4 to 12, living in Africa. We will be using the Babishai Poetricks toolkit, which is a proven workable creative method of nurturing the leaders that Uganda and Africa need.

Babishai Poericks time

The Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, founded by Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, a writer editor, poet, long-distance swimmer, actress and leadership trainer, coordinates annual poetry competitions for Africans. This year, they introduced the Haiku competition, dubbed Babishaiku, they publish poetry by Africans, coordinate creative children’s programs, business programs, annual poetry festivals and poetry mentorship programs.

Observation

This year in June, Babishai is leading a team of creative explorers to the foothills of Mt. Rwenzori to hold a poetry session, launch a poetry collection and have a wide barbeque spread. Poetry on The Mountain is another annual event which Babishai will share with her audiences and friends.

The Babishai 2016 Festival runs from 24-26 August in Kampala. #Babishai2016

The Babishai 2017 Festival runs from 7-9 June in Kampala.  #Babishai2017

PAUL KISAKYE WRITES ABOUT PRODIGAL LOVE- #BABISHAI2016 FESTIVAL GUEST

Paul Kisakye is an unapologetic Christian and author of recently published book, Prodigal Love: Embracing God’s Outrageous, Unconditional Love. He is consistent in his belief in God’s grace and power. 

Paul Kisakye (Courtesy photo)

Paul's book will be launched on 19^th April at Papali on the Roof in Kampala-Bukoto. The entry fee of 30,000/- includes a copy of the book. Paul is also a guest at the #Babishai2016 poetry festival and will be part of a panel discussion on Christian writing and why he strongly believes that it’s not a hindrance to creativity.

1.       Paul, Congratulations on your recent book. Let’s start with Christian writing. You hold firm Christian beliefs. How flexible does that permit you to explore multiple themes in your writing and do you sometimes find yourself in positions of self-censorship?

I am a Christian, and I am a writer. I write for a living. I am a Christian writer in the same way a friend of mine is a Christian lawyer and another is a Christian surgeon. My beliefs influence my writing the same way my surgeon friend’s beliefs influence his work. About self-censorship, I rarely have to censor myself. I never have need to use profanity in my writing, and I know how to write a sexually explicit scene in a way that doesn’t make it feel dirty. I’ve written some stories that haven’t gone down well with some Christian friends of mine. But God liked them. And that’s what really matters.

2.       How would you feel towards a body of Christian writers supporting one another amidst the challenges in the literary fraternity?

That is long overdue. Most of us writers are semi-hermits. We forget that God created us to live in community. Community is important for our creativity. So I’d definitely join other Christian writers so we can support each other. As long as it’s safe and healthy.

3.       In three words, how would you describe your book?

Experience Unconditional Love.

prodigal Love: Embraing God's outrageous, unconditional love

4.       What are the most surprising responses you have received from this book, so far?

The pig! That pig on the cover has caused no small stir! I’ve enjoyed reading and listening to people speculate on why I chose to have a pig on the cover. Well, it’s mostly a picture of Jesus’ Parable of the Prodigal Son, which was the inspiration for the book. It also represents how most people think about their relationship with God. Most people feel like they are filthy pigs that God loves but can’t hug. A few people have said that the pig might keep away Muslim readers. But I’m not worried about that. I wrote this book for Christians. If only Christians learnt how much God loves them, this world would be a much better place.

5.       You sent a children’s poem for Babishai Poetricks last year. It’s going to be published in a poetry anthology which we’re producing. How often do you write poetry?

I mainly write prose. It comes naturally to me, whether I feel like writing or not. But for poetry, I have to be in a certain space. I haven’t yet figured out what kind of space that has to be. But the last time I wrote a poem was when someone died a few months ago.

6.       Which, in your opinion, is the best diet for poets?

Books. Lots of books. And a thesaurus and a rhyming dictionary (or Google). But for real food, anything that you fancy will do.

7.       What do you expect from the Babishai Poetry Festival?

I’m looking forward to having interesting, quirky conversations with the brilliant minds that this festival attracts.

8.       Any parting remarks?

Do you have a story burning to be told? Do you have a voice that must be heard? Then write. Because writing is no small calling. Otherwise, get back to your normal day job and save us the agony of watching our time being flushed down the toilet.

Thank you very much.

Babishai Festival will run from 24-26 August 2016 in Kampala.

Email: festival@babishainiwe.com

Website: www.babishainiwe.com

Below are details of our two Babishai 2016 Poetry Competitions.

ADJEI AGYEI-BAAH, A HAIKU JUNKIE AND #BABISHAI2016 FESTIVAL GUEST

 Adjei Agyei-Baah is the co-founder of the Africa Haiku Network, editor of Mamba Journal on Haikus, judge of the #Babishai2016 Babishaiku Competition and guest at the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival in August.

Adjei Agyei-Baah (Courtesy photo)

        Babishai is so pleased that you took up the position as judge for our inaugural Haiku competition, or Babishaiku. As the co-founder of the Africa Haiku Network, which you co-founded with Emmanuel Jessie Kalusian, you hold strong values connecting Haiku to African language. Share a few please.

Yes, Africa can ‘nativise’, and even translate and write haiku in our widely spoken indigenous languages like Swahili/ Kiswahili etc... in order to become part of our literature thought at schools and colleges. But I think connecting haiku to only our language would display a limited role and benefit and would be appropriate if extended to embrace our culture and values in its entirety. In fact, I still see haiku among the less explored arts that Africa can take advantage of in telling her story. Its brevity and power of delight can easily cause people to stop and read,especially in this technological age where people have limited time,to read lengthy texts and images generated by the various applications and social media platforms. In such situation, haiku then becomes a teaser or bait to entice people to pause and read for a moment.

     Surely, haiku can be used to record our daily observations and happenings in our environment. For instance the haiku below captures the pitiful sight of the deplorable state most Africa’s railway networks, which presently have their tracks going rusty, compared to the advanced Germany’s Sky and Japan’s Bullet Trains, which travel at lightning speed:

         end of road—/railway truck runs/ into earth

        And by this simple haiku, awareness can be created for people in authority to give such as   state the needed attention or becomes a call toinvestors to come downto salvage the    situation:

Similarlya haiku can be used to tell Africa’shistory to the generation yet to come, be it good or bad. In the haiku below, I share a rich historical experience with readers on my visit to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana (formerly called the Gold Coast), where the colonial masters left forts and castles as colonial monuments after the collapse of slave trade that have become haunting structures of terror showcasing to some of the atrocities committed against the black race.

On top of these castles, remain their planted cannons, mockingly acting as sign-posts, pointing the direction were they came in and the route where they exited:

castle cannons― /pointing where/ their owners gone by

Indeed, haiku as art has so many benefits to Africa but would prefer to speak extensively about it some other time to come.

       The Mamba Journal is Africa’s first single Haiku publication. How have audiences responded to it so far?

Response have been so far great, in fact we received congratulatory messages from almost all international haiku journal editors/ founders like Shamrock, Heron’s Nest, Cat tails, Paper Wasp, Modern Haiku etc. and other haiku societies and lovers around the world. In fact, they were happy for our feat, in finding Africa a spot on the world haiku map. But from Africa have been few messages since the haiku art is not much known and even seasoned poets and academic institution have not been practicing it. Prof. Wole Soyinka was happy about our historic breakthrough and sent us his first haiku which we hope to publish in our 2^nd edition, if he grants us permission.

       Do you write Haiku in any other language apart from English?

Yes, I have often translated my haiku into my mother tongue, Twi, the widest spoken language in Ghana. Fortunately for me, some of my haiku(s) have also been translated into Japanese, Romania, Russia, French and German. But I have the intention of translating my upcoming collection “Afriku” into Swahili and other international languages such as French, Spanish and Chinese for these countries to also experience and appreciate our unique seasons and settings outside their own.

      Ghana is heavily invested in the arts. Which arts and culture events do you always attend while there, and why?

I am devotee of poetry and spoken word, for I see these two art as channels to create social awareness, as a means of talking about the corruption and bribery in high places, the church taking advantage of poor, the commoner overburdened with taxes and also as a mean of providing entertainment to ward off our daily stress.

      How important is it, in your opinion, to conduct poetry competitions for Africans living in   Africa?

It is a smart way of telling the African story by Africans themselves to their unborn generations, rather than leaving it in the hands of foreigners who may record it with ugliness. It’s like making an effort to define oneself before someone else does it for him.

      You have been a judge before for a Haiku competition. Describe that experience.
Nope, this is my first time, but would say as a co-editor and aficionado of haiku, I have regularly been mentoring and editing chunk haiku everyday. The difficult part has always been sending a “rejection” mail to a submitter, it has always been quite hard. You have go about it in a “fine” way so as not extinguish the feeble fire of first-timers. Most at times too, there are friends, who want to take advantage of their friendship with you, to force you to accept “anything” they pen as haiku for publication. And here is where I stand my grounds, since a good editor need to be a bit ruthless, so as to separate the chaffs from the grain.

       Do you use Haiku to woo women?

Eish… I wish I could but not in its wrong sense but would rather want to entice them with it. In fact when it comes to haiku in Africa, its rather unfortunate that only few women are doing it.On the international scene, I can only point two heads, Celestine Nudanu (from Ghana) and Nshai Waluzimba (from Zambia) who are devotees and have received commendation for some of their haiku pieces.

         What diet is best for poets, in your opinion?

Hmmm, this is quite a tough one. Honestly I am stuck here. But I will recommend any food that ward-off stress and make them stay up refreshed at night and write their heart out.

      At the Babishai Poetry Festival this year, what three things do you expect?

I expect to meet new young African poets, not the same old faces we already know. A little freshness, will surely spice up the show. I hope to see a lot of books, more especially anthologies to get know of what is happening in the world of poetry in other Africa countries, most especially from East Africa. I think my people back home will be delighted to know about it and will as well love to witness some performances which I will personally love to perform one or two poems from my upcoming collection “Embers of Fireflies”.

      Any parting remarks?

Thanks for this opportunity to share my thoughts with the world, in my quest to promote Africa to find her rightful place of the World haiku map.

Thank you

The #Babishai2016 poetry festival runs from 24-26 August in Kampala. Contact us at festival@babishainiwe.com

#BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL GUEST-OPRAH OYUGI FROM KENYA

Oprah Oyugi won the #BabishaiSZ Twitter competition run by Storyzetu in Nairobi. Her prize is a fully paid trip to the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, 24-26 August in Kampala. We're grateful to Praxis Magazine for publishing these interviews.

Courtesy photo

1.       Oprah, we know you’re a film-maker and a writer. Which role came first?

I  knew I wanted to pursue filmmaking a few months out of high school and didn’t think about writing as a career till after I had finished my film course. However, I have written and have been writing since I was 7.

2.       In February, Storyzetu ran a one-month long Twitter competition for residents of Nairobi, which you won and now will be attending the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival.  What do you expect from a poetry festival?

Outrageously amazing poetry and poets

3.       What is the most remarkable deed you have done as a film-maker?

I’m only starting out and don’t feel like I’ve quite earned my stamp as one. But I’ve been selfish of my life and been very clear that I will follow Filmmaking and writing as a career in Kenya and Africa, no matter what… I hope many Kenyans and Africans can and will do the same. We have amazing stories hidden in our people. These are the stories that will liberate us from neo-colonialism and make us look inwards, love ourselves and grow. If I have inspired a fellow Kenyan/ African to do the same, I hope that can count as a good deed.

4.       Can you name some of your favourite African film-makers and why?

My favourite African films were directed by foreigners. We have to change this. Still, these guys stood out to me and I don’t think it’s coincidence most of them happen to be Writers/Directors

●        Tosh Gitonga – Nairobi Half Life. If you haven’t watched it, you must. It’s pretty self explanatory.

●        Lupita Nyong’o – I believe that she is where she is today because of her hard work, tenacity, relentlessness and determination. I reckon that’s what makes or breaks filmmakers. These are traits I’m working on having.

●        Donald Mugisha – The Boda Boda Thieves. I loved this film.

●        Yared Zeleke – Lamb : The heart, simplicity and empathy of this story just got me. I walked out of the cinema with a fire to make films after watching this one

●        Gared Hood – Tsotsi : This was such a raw and gritty film that was so true to the setting and experience of many African slums. I could see and hear the people of Dandora, Kibera and Githurai  in this film.

●      Abderrahmane Sissako  – Timbuktu. This one just shut me up. The film is paced in a way that makes you take in every action or inaction. The diverse cultures represented in the film are done in such truth and honesty. My films will definitely be influenced by his work.

5.       Are you doing what you dreamt of as a child?

 Well, there’s 2 answers that question. Always wanted to be a pilot – still have my sights on it. But since I was very young, I’ve always made things up in my mind and written. I was always that girl who had her composition read at the front of the class. My mom really wanted to publish them. I wouldn’t say I dreamt of it but I was a dreamer. I guess, some things just manifest. Go figure

6.       The Babishai Poetry festival theme is Abundance: Poetry from Contemporary Africa. What do you think this means?

Surplus, availability or lack thereof of what we as humans (Africans) want, need and desire.

7.       What is the best diet for poets, in your opinion?

Shitloads of stories, poems (reading material basically), an observant mind, an unquenchable desire to understand the actions of others and an environment bustling with human activity.

8.       Which African actors do you desire to have in any of your films?

Soo many but, off the top of my head:

●        Paul Ogola – Nairobi Half Life/Sense 8

●        Rachel Mwanza – War witch

●        Maina Olwenya – Nairobi Half Life

●        Timothy Njuguna – The Real Househelps of Kawangware

●        Hamisi Bazili – White Shadow

●        Nana Mensah – An African City

●        Susan Wanjiru – Something Necessary

●        Walter Lagat – Something Necessary

9.       Any parting remarks? No

Bio

Oprah is an upcoming filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. She studied Creative Writing in Whitireia NZ and hopes to write stories and films that depict and look into the true lives of Kenyans and Africans. Her Short Play went through to the Wildcard finals in the Short + Sweet Festival in Sydney. She hopes to premiere one of her short films based on gangs in Kenyan universities in June this year.

Read more about her and check out her work on: www.oprahoyugi.com

 Thanks Oprah, see you in August.

babishainiwe@babishainiwe.com

Tel: +256 751 703226