Why I think Kwani02 will be a flop - Page 2

Jibril Cessay · (#11 (**permalink**))

I see that you have been paying attention. I'm going to keep my eyes open for new Kenya writers abroad cos I know they are out their. I have to admit that I miss seeing poetry from Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye. Remember, 'Atieno-yo'?

Jibril Cessay · (#12 (**permalink**))

I've been thinking about the same thing. I've also being thinking about how we can get more kenyans to showcase their work in Stato spoken word venues. I'm always alone when I start talking about Nai, Kenyans issues na kadhalika. Drop a word or two in my inbox...let's brainstorm.

mkmba2 · (#13 (**permalink**))

i've been reading these posts with interest, and find it disturbing that such a level of eliteism exists in written and spoken word. anyway, it's always great to find posts with "new" kenyan and african writers here. i'm trying to re-immerse myself in african writitng, and it's tough. now, have any of you heard of kavu ngala? what is the consensus on his work?
http://www.africaresource.com/poe/kavu.htm

thierry · (#14 (**permalink**))

Mk you have made my day! Do me a favour,next time WARN people before introducing them to such blinding talent.

Kavu will go far. I love his work. I absolutely love Dama and Saro..so lyrical and evocative...that poem seriously touched me....something that only classic english poetry has been able to do so far. And all this from a Kenyan. And of my generation at that!

The most impressive aspect of his work to me is the social commentary aspect of it. That he makes it the point of his work to expose the mind boggling apathy of modern day kenya is just so brilliant. Kenya needs a revolution of thinking and this guy has hit the nail on the head. Kenyans are too too sedate. Too unassuming.

Just one thing though.......

"As I indicated in the preceding paragraph, self-indulgence in writing is a luxury that is almost unavoidable in a person's work and with this in mind, I am not any different"

Amen to that. I'm not sure he meant that quote in a self-indicting way but i like that he recognizes the fact that he falls in love with his stylistic devices...and get's carried away sometimes. All that unnecessary 'let me show my brilliance by writing backwards' stuff. Dama and Saro still moved me so much but just imagine if it's flow was simpler more linear and straight forward...i shudder to think of how much more moving it would have been. That it still moved me despite it's stylistic weakness,is a testament to the Ngalas skill as a poet.

If anyone knows where i can get Ngalas work in print please please forward the info.

Jibril Cessay · (#15 (**permalink**))

http://www.africaresource.com/poe/kavue.jpg

Kavu is most certainly eloquent. 'Dama and Saro' reads like an epic poem similar to Iliad by Homer and Omieros by Derek Walcott. I also liked the imagery in 'A Tale of the Streets' . I liked this particular line:

"The evening creeps on as a thief
Stealing daylight with it gladness and grief
Evident among us of the street, pitying cheery..."

I found an article about Caine Prize. It seems someone else has noticed the elitist voice in Kenyan writing. I'm sure many of us miss Whispers cos he was the voice of the everyday struggling Kenyan.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/pr.../artbeat.shtml

mimie · (#16 (**permalink**))

@ thinker- just go to www.kwani.org. you'll get instructions on how to land yourself a copy of kwani online. the site itself needs a clear make-over (any tips), but hey, am not the expert here. enjoy!

Jibril Cessay · (#17 (**permalink**))

Mimie, u got some new prose we can read? I'm looking for inspiration at the moment. I'm jobless and bored!

mimie · (#18 (**permalink**))

Hi Jib, been long, huh? n'way...guess what, i was browsing Oprah.com (now that i mentioned it earlier) and guess what is being read in the book club? Anne Karenina. there is a review section which is also interesting.

i am just from the lib-got my self a copy of Anna K. and another book called The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. otherwise, i have nothing new up my sleeve.......

Dee Dee · (#19 (**permalink**))

i WAS FINDING OUT THE LITERACY OF THE KENYAN PUBLIC ON THIS kWANI THING AND IT IS BELOW AVERAGE... U CANT EVEN SPOT IT ON THE STANDS OF MAJOR BOOKSTORES LEAVE ALONE THE STREETS.

wELL AS FOR ME JUST GOT MASELF THE ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE CLASSICAL 48 LAWS OF POWER AND I GUESS THOSE KWANI GUYS NEED A COPY OF THIS BOOK

Jibril Cessay · (#20 (**permalink**))

U don't want to mess with that Oprah book club. The books she blesses aren't all time favorites. Anne Karenina....1000 plus pages of prosaic love affairs and tragedy. I read a chapter or two of the bleeding book and fell soundly asleep. I'll revisit the book in Winter.

You want something fun, enlightening and enthralling,check out http://www.africana.com/ and http://www.qbr.com/reviews.html

Don't forget to look at The Boondocks in http://www.africana.com/