Poetry and Art..
Here is a painting- 'Female Circumcision' by Suzanne Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso, and the wonderful photograph taken by Joe Pollitt of African Painters in Burkina Faso in 2003. The painting goes with the poem- 'Our Dilemma'.
Poem can be read on blog.
Mpane Aime's installation from the Republic of Congo, simply called 'Congo'. The chosen artist from African Painters to go with the poem- 'Onwu Di' | Death of a Husband. Poem can be read on blog.
Beadwork by Chief Jimoh Buraimoh | The Drummers Return merged with Poetry- Writers Return. Poem can be read on blog.
Books
Here is a collection of works by writers from Africa that could be considered in the selection process of the GCSE courses and above. There are over 800 writers from Africa to choose from, these are just a few.
About me: Chinwe Azubuike is a contemporary African Poet. She is regarded as a strong female contemporary voice from Africa, born in Lagos-Nigeria. Her origins are from Imo State and she is the first born of a family of five children. Her late father, Wisdom Azubuike served in the Biafran War and was married to Mary Azubuike, her mother.
Her humble beginnings were a far cry from the literary educated class of poets- born into a relatively poor family. Over the past decade she has gradually crafted her own powerful voice and found a unique style of no-nonsense writing that comes directly from her heart. Recently she has participated in various writing groups throughout East London.
Her literary development began whilst attending secondary school. She constantly viewed herself as a spokeswoman for Nigeria's deprived underclass and recognised within herself a strong sense of social justice. This is reflected in her poetry, as her work highlights the complicated issues and beauty of the people of Africa, especially the plight of women and children. The bulk of her work focus' on female issues; of love, life and torture with specific references to ethnic family traditions within West Africa.
Her meteoric rise in African literary circles came about when she was invited to give a talk on female circumcision for the BBC World Service in 2004. Following on from that success she gave various readings at the Poetry Society in Betterton Place, London. She has spoken candidly on various radio stations in the Capital and her work has been published in various online publications and offline magazines in London and throughout the world.
Presently, she is running a campaign worldwide for women, against the victimization and deprivation of human rights of "the Widow" in Nigeria. This issue is extremely personal to her as it is borne out of her own bitter experience when her father sadly passed away. She has written extensively on the subject with essays and poetry and intend to create a documentary in Nigeria about "Death of a Husband".
Who I'd like to meet: Here are a selection of African writers that have contributed an enormous amount to International literature and deserve to have a subject dedicated just to them....Steps need to be taken to encourage African Literature to be regarded as a manditory subject throughout schools in the UK for pupils studying GCSE and above. We must make this a reality for the benefit of all children throughout Britain by 2010.
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All through the night they sought the light that would guide them for they were lost in the deep dark forest surrounded by snow. They only knew that it was imperative that they keep moving as it was getting colder now and soon it wouldn't matter because they had lost hope of ever finding shelter. So cold and tired they knew they were soon to die without the guidance of something greater than you and I.
Having no choice exhausted and scared they continued forward shivering as they walked side-by-side. All at once in the distance they saw something glowing in the cold brisk air. At first they thought it was a light but then to their despair it was Sister Aurora.
Little did they know, Aurora was showing them the way to the cabin not so far away. Their spirits uplifted they quickened the pace. Now their faces turned upward in praise seeing at once the face of an angel with rainbows, stars, and planets in her hair. She was gliding beside beloved Aurora both guiding them there to safety, a fire, and some company with plenty of everything they needed and would share.
Fear not please do not despair there is always hope when you thought no one was there. Just open your eyes and hearts and you will hear the sound of love forever it is always there it’s in the air and everywhere.
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