Afri-love

An interview with poet, writer and musician, Musa Okwonga

An emerging trend with the inspiring people I've interviewed is that many are masters of several trades. Today's interviewee, Musa Okwonga, is no exception. Musa is a poet, writer, musician, City lawyer by training, member of poetry collective A Poem in between People (PiP), a blogger for The New York Times and The Independent and a twice-published author. His first (and award-winning) football book is titled A Cultured Left Foot and his second  is titled, Will You Manage?

Musa also runs Poejazzi, one of the most exciting spoken word and music nights in London, along with word and graphic artist, Inua Ellams and poet and musician, Joshua Idehen. Poejazzi has received two five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has been named TimeOut Critic’s Choice, and included in its list of 101 Things To Do Around London. Poejazzi has curated two sellout shows at the Southbank in collaboration with E4 and Udderbelly, one sellout pre-show for Henry Rollins at the Southbank, and successful shows at Proud Galleries and Roundhouse Theatre.  They have also featured many acts who have gone on become mainstays in london and UK spoken word scene, including Scroobius Pip, Polar bear, Natty, Heidi Vogel, Kate Tempest, Beardyman, Ed Sheeran, and Jono Mccleery, to name a few.

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What's your passion?
Writing. It's the one thing that I do pretty much every day, whether that be tweeting, blogging, poetry or longer pieces.

What inspired you to become a poet? What inspired Poejazzi?
I have written poetry for many years – I wrote my first poem when I was eleven or so – but the real inspiration came when I started reading the old poets, like Alexander Pope and Shakespeare. I have always liked epic writing, and so that's where it started for me.

Africa- and Diaspora-related events this November

November's already here. A reminder that the year is almost through but, before we get ready to welcome in 2012, there are TONS of exciting events to attend. Here are just a few. They're very London-centric so I'd love to hear about all the interesting things going on in your corner of the globe – please share.

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TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER

Launch of Afriapps book: African Apps in a Global Marketplace
Everywhere

You might remember Andrew Mugoya's guest posts about African apps ("5 Reasons why Ghana is the next African app powerhouse", "Learning from the Success of Nollywood"). Today, Andrew launches an ebook on the subject that is free to download for a limited period. Get it while it's hot!

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THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER

Film Africa 2011
London, UK. Various screenings, workshops and live music events until the 13th

10 days of more than fifty of the best African fiction and documentary films from across the continent. With lively Q&As and panel discussions featuring leading African filmmakers, and a dynamic programme of 
cultural events. Find out more and get your tickets soon!

Africa and Diaspora events this October

As September draws to a close, I'm getting geared up for a bunch of exciting events in October. I'm one of those people who plans her social calendar waaaay in advance and diligently researches to find Afri-love-inspiring events. Not always easy but definitely worth it! I thought that I'd spare you some of the time and effort and compile all the Africa and Diaspora related events that I find each month. I also hope to tap into the power of crowd-sourcing to create an even richer listing for all of us. I invite you to share the great discoveries that you make in your "yard" (see the bottom of this post for details). Enjoy!

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MONTH-LONG EVENTS

Black History Month (UK) events in Islington
London
Islington Council is organising a variety of free and low cost film screenings, exhibitions, talks, readings, poetry and performances inspiring and connecting communities to historical legacies and Black experience today
Download Islington Black History Month 2011- Arts and Culture events
Download Islington Black History Month 2011 - Business and Enterprise events
Download Islington Black History Month 2011 - Schools activities 

Afrika Eye Film Festival
London
Afrika Eye Film Festival showcases films that tell stories told by African and diaspora voices. Bringing together local African and Afro-Caribbean communities with international figures in film, music, and dance, Afrika Eye aims to offer an insight into African culture both on and beyond the screen.

I am thenublack exhibition
London, Wednesday 5 - Saturday 29 October
Celebrating the talents of a generation of youth born to parents of the African Diaspora, this exhibition presents artists who have been inspired by the positive influence of their forbearers. Through a variety of disciplines from illustration to photography this collection of work conveys the rich heritage of contemporary Black culture.
Download flyer

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SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER

Black History Live 2011
London, 10am - 6pm
(Also on Sunday 2 October, 10am - 5pm)
A cultural extravaganza at Wembey Stadium celebrating the start of Black History Month. A fun-packed day for all the family

Run the Sahara 2012 Launch
London, 3 - 5:50pm
Featuring a screening of the award-winning documentary El Problema, readings by acclaimed playwright and poet Inua Ellams and preview of The Runner.Sandblast’s 4th annual campaign of Run the Sahara will help raise funds for its exciting new music empowerment initiative –Studio Live – in the Saharawi refugee camps in SW Algeria aiming to enable artists to develop professionally and reach international audiences through music and express their culture and struggle more widely.

Black Sound Series: The Afterparty
Manchester, 9pm 'til late
A free evening of live music, with performances from Tsana, Sparkz, Young Identity, Media Drop and DJ sets from Phaze One and Irfan Rainy until the small hours.

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TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER

Insight with Robert King: The Angola 3 and their fight for justice
London, 7pm
Robert King at the Frontline Club, in conversation with founder and director of Reprieve, Clive Stafford Smith to recount his personal story of injustice and how his life’s focus now is to campaign against abuses in the criminal justice system and for the freedom of Black Panthers, Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox who are now serving their 40th year in solitary confinement.

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WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

Freestyle Fictionary
Manchester, 8:30pm
Freestyle Fictionary is an event based on freestyle word games, it is accessible to all, whether Hip Hop heads or not, it is witty, light-hearted, and includes audience participation.

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FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

I am Osunlade
Manchester, 11:30pm
A 6 hour marathon set by my favourite DJ! House music all night long … 

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MONDAY 17 OCTOBER

The Black British Filmmaker's Guide to Success
London, 6pm - 8pm
Seasoned film commentator, Nadia Denton, discusses her book, The Black British Filmmaker's Guide to Success: Finance, Market and Distribute Your Film. 

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WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER

Black LGBT Shorts Programme
London, 7 - 8:30pm
A moving programme of six short films from around the world exploring the experience of being Black and gay, from Australia, South Africa to an estate in South London.

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FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER

Insight with Nawal El Saadawi
London, 7pm
The internationally renowned Egyptian writer, novelist and activist Nawal El Saadawi will be celebraing her 80th birthday at the Frontline Club, discussing her life's work and the launch of a foundation that will embody the themes, ethos and characteristics that have shaped it.

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SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

Manchester Literature Festival: Jean 'Binta' Breeze
Manchester, 7:30pm
Internationally renowned Jamaican ‘dub’ poet, director and playwright Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze’s words are personal and political and her electric stage presence and rhythmic wordplay has mesmerized audiences around the world. 

Whether speaking about Third World poverty, reggae music, inner-city life, the Caribbean or family, she weaves together themes that challenge and celebrate human experience in all its many forms. She will be joined by members of Speakeasy People and Contact’s Key Partner Company, Young Identity. 

SOAS World Music Stage at the Bloomsbury Festival
London, 12 - 7:30pm (and Sunday, 12 - 5:00pm)

A free concert series brought to you by my alma mater, The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – the UK’s premier academic institution dedicated to the research and development of non-Western cultures, traditions and languages. Acts include:

• Amira Kheir – Sudanese-Italian singer/songwriter Amira Kheir is creating a sound that is inspired by traditional Sudanese singing and instrumentation, blended with elements of Jazz, Soul, African as well as Middle Eastern music. 
• Laye Sow – one of the most exciting musicians to come out of Senegal. Of Dogan and Fula heritage, the music takes you on a journey from his village on the edge of the Sahara to the happening night clubs of Dakar. 
• Harare Music – Zimbabwe's rich African musical heritage is still alive and kicking, albeit in exile. Frontman and marimba virtuoso Kudaushe Matimba was a member of the legendary Bhundu Boys back in the 80s; now based in London he is keeping up the faith, celebrating the musical alliances he has since made in the UK through the prism of Zimbabwe’s urban Chimurenga and Jit Jive music.
• Diabel Cissokho – Senegalese musician Diabel Cissokho is part of the great line of Cissokho griots. His “resonant voice and rocking kora style” (Songlines), have been welcomed everywhere from WOMAD and Glastonbury to London’s Barbican.

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WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER

Viva Riva! Screening
London, 7pm
For charismatic criminal, Riva, as sudden burst of stolen wealth ignites an exhilarating, hedonistic and perilous journey through one of the most intriguing cities in Africa – Kinshasha.

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What's good in your city this October? Leave a comment to share. 

Event listings – If you'd like me to list your event in November and beyond, please drop me an email by the 21st of October via address: afrilovemail [at] gmail [dot] com. 

Want to stay up to date with events, and received Afri-love posts directly into your inbox? Subscribe here.

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Osunlade photo via Resident Advisor; Nawal El Saadawi photo via bikyamasr

Choice Afri-love picks at the Didsbury Arts Festival

As well as looking forward to exhibiting at the Didsbury Arts Festival, I'm really looking forward to a good lineup of events. The following ones are inked in my diary:

Sunday 25th September
Hoodies – hip-hop dance theatre from Fighting Fit Productions 
Speakfreaky Performance Poetry & Open Mic Night – featuring the Speakeasy Crew 
World Music – from the Sargasso Township Jazz Band 

Monday 26th September
Young Identity – words and drama from this multi-disciplinary young collective 

Tuesday 27th September
A reading by Jackie Kay – an evening with the fantastic award-winning Scottish writer of Nigerian origin

Thursday 29th September
Sister Talk – An evening of expression from "a wholesome host of Mancunia's finest female poets, wordsmiths and singers" 

Find out more information on the Festival website. Look forward to bumping into you, Mancunians!


Images of the Young Identity collective and Jackie Kay are via the Festival website 

Storymoja Hay Festival – Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya's largest literary festival is back from today until Sunday. This year's Storymoja Hay Festival has some super special guests including Booker Prize winner, Nigerian poet and novelist, Ben Okri and Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet Yusef Komunyakaa, among several others.

Celebrating writing, ideas and contemporary culture through a series of workshops, live discussions and presentations at Nairobi's Railway Grounds.

Download a flyer with more information here 
Find out more about the organisers, Storymoja Publishers

Below: last year's event featured UK poet, Benjamin Zephaniah:

Enter the festival's Twitter competition: Tweet using hash tag #IWillBe and tag at least one other person and @hayfestke in your tweets. There will be a Thursday winner who will win a season pass, a Friday winner who will also win a season pass and a Sunday winner picked by our celebrity judge – to be revealed soon- who will win, wait for it, a Samsung Galaxy S Series Smartphone.

Images copyright Storymoja. See more from last year's festival on Flickr.

Part I of the Independence Day round-up: July

During this blog's first year, I endeavored to celebrate the independence days of African countries through creating a dedicated post (you can browse them via this link). I'm not doing that this year but, as several of those celebrations take place in July and August, I thought I'd do a round-up of highlights. I hope you enjoy it. Stay tuned for part 2 – August celebrations – next week.

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Ghana – 1st July

Something for the pundits and technology geeks, something for the music-lovers and something for the fashionistas:
5 Reasons why Ghana is the next African App Powerhouse
Interview with lyrical genius M3NSA
Interview with Fashion Designer Naana B

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Rwanda – 1st July
Fashion, art and music in last year's Independence Day post.

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Burundi – 1st July
Listen to the beauuuutiful sounds of Kidum.

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Somalia – 1st July

Fashion, literature and music in last year's Independence Day post.
Don't forget to show support for those currently suffering from the food crisis in the region.

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Algeria – 5th July
Art, old and contemporary. Find out more in last year's Independence Day post.

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Cape Verde – 5th July

Home of the "barefoot diva," Cesaria Evora. Listen to the various sounds coming from the islands – from Morna to Coladeira, from Funaná to Batuque.

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Malawi – 6th July
I WILL one day make it to the Lake of Stars Festival. Until then, I will live vicariously …

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Comoros – 6th July
The women run things on these islands, and here's how they sound.

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South Sudan – 9th July

Last year, South Sudan did not exist as an independent nation-state. We experienced history last month as it became official. 

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Egypt (National Day) – 23rd July
A particularly historically significant year it's been for Egypt too! The Tahrir Square effect lives on.

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Liberia – 26th July
The beautiful results of cross-Atlantic traditions.

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Cesaria Evora image via Syntorama

You be my witness: personal reading challenge

Greatly inspired by Kinna Reads, "a blog of books,reading and world literature," I've decided to do something about my desire to make more time for reading again. I'm setting myself a (humble) challenge and sharing it with you all for extra accountability: to read 24 books in 2011.

Below is my growing list. The books are not exclusively by African writers or about Africa, but I've highlighted, in bold, the ones that are "Africa interest." This is often largely subjective. If you have any suggestions, please do share them, preferrably with a reason why it's a good read. Please have mercy on me and not too many tomes :)

1. I Write What I Like – Steve Biko
2. Self-Reliance and Other Essays – Ralph Waldo Emerson
3. Africa: The Politics of Suffering and Smiling – Patrick Chabal
4. I Wonder – Marian Bantjes
5. The Thing Around Your Neck – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
6. African Love Stories: An Anthology – Ama Ata Aidoo (Ed.)
7. Bury the Chains: The British Struggle to Abolish Slavery – Adam Hochschild
8. The Palm-Wine Drinkard – Amos Tutuola
9. Walden: Or, Life in the Woods – Henry David Thoreau
10. The Rebel – Albert Camus
11. The Satanic Verses – Salman Rushdie
12. Mrs Dalloway – Virginia Woolf
13. A Mercy – Toni Morrison
14. It's Our Turn to Eat – Michela Wrong
15. The Memory of Love – Aminatta Forna (thanks to @sciculturist for the recommendation!)
16. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives – Lola Shoneyin (thanks Zahra)
17. Powder Necklace – Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
18. Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
19. The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
20. The Year of the Flood – Margaret Atwood
21. Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening – Rita Marie Robinson
22. Dead Aid – Dambisa Moyo
23. Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else – Geoff Colvin
24. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
25. Zenzele: A Letter for my Daughter – Nozipo Maraire (thanks Selali)
26. Tropical Fish: Stories out of Entebbe – Doreen Baingana (another from Selali, expanding my list! :-S)

An extended 'quote' of the week: water, spirit & journeying home

Long ago, before I owned a computer and when the internet was not yet a part of my daily life, I kept an A6-sized 'quote' book. In would go everything from inspiring quotes to song lyrics that delighted me in some way, from things overheard and seen scribbled on walls to sketches of interesting images and art ideas. I was leafing through one of these books today and was reminded of all the wonderful things I collected (and amused by some of the concerns of my youth, that I will not share!).

Below is one find: a piece of poetry from the book, Of Water and the Spirit: Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman, by Malidoma Patrice Somé. Abducted at the age of four and sent to a French missionary school, the book is an account of the Burkinabe Somé's journey back to his people, his culture and himself. I'll be looking for it at the library for a re-read…

I had a date in the bush
With all the gods,
So I went.

I had a date in the bush
With all the trees
So I went.
I had a date in the mountain with the Kondomblé
I went because I had to go.

I had to go away to learn
How to know.
I had to go away to learn
How to grow.
I had to go away to learn
How to stay here.

So I went and knocked at doors
Locked in front of me.
I craved to enter.
Oh, little did I know
The doors did not lead outside.

It was all in me.
I was the room and the door.
It was all in me.
I just had to remember.

And I learned that I lived
Always and everywhere.
I learned that I knew everything,
Only I had forgotten,
I learned that I grew
Only I had overlooked things.
Now I am back, remembering,

I want to be what I know I am
And take the road we always
Forget to take.
Because I heard the smell
Of the things forgotten
And my belly was touched.

That's why I had a date with the bush
That's why I had a date with the hill.
That's why I had a date with the world
Under.
Now, Father, I'll take you home.
I am back. 

TGIF! Kwani? LitFest (and Kidum)

This year's installment of the Kwani Litfest kicks off in Nairobi this Sunday. Perfectly timed to coincide with Jamhuri Day, Kenya's Independence Day. 

There's a fantastic line-up of writers including literary giant, Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Over the course of 6 days there will be several events to partake in including lectures, panels, readings, workshops, spoken word and music performances.

To bring you into the weekend, a video from Kidum who will be performing at the festival:

 

Quote of the week and the African artist's responsibility

"For us Africans, literature must serve a purpose: to expose, embarrass, and fight corruption and authoritarianism. It is understandable why the African artist is utilitarian."

— author and playwright, Ama Ata Aidoo

I've heard African creatives (whether writers, fine artists etc.) protest that they feel they are expected to be political or to somehow have their work address the cause of bettering our continent. That they can't just produce art for art's sake. A lot of ingenious creatives do manage to serve this serious purpose through works that are also very witty, clever and generally entertaining. Ama Ata Aidoo is a great example with stories such as Our Sister Killjoy and The Dilemma of a Ghost.

What are your thoughts on the expectation that African arts should serve a utilitarian purpose? Limiting or essential?