African Poets on Newsday
Six poets who were shortlisted for the 2015 Brunel African Poetry Prize share their work and inspiration on BBC Word Service Newsday
1: Inua Ellams –‘When the first shots rang out’
Part of ‘Nigerian Pastoral’ – a poem by Inua Ellams about a massacre in the town of Baga, committed in January 2015 in Borno state by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Inua was born in Jos, a town in central Nigeria. Now he works as a touring poet and a playwright in London. He is one of 6 artists short-listed for The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. He has been speaking to Nkem Ifejika.
2: Safia Elhillo – ‘Daughters full of all the wrong language’
Part of a poem by Safia Elhillo that explores her Sudanese heritage. She is a first generation Sudanese-American and says she grew up in a Sudan inside America. Safia is now a poet and performer in New York City. She is one of the winners of The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. She has been speaking to Nuala McGovern.
3:Bernard Matambo – ‘The colour had drained from his American dream’
Part of ‘Diallo’ – a poem by Zimbabwean Bernard Matambo, written in memory of Amadou Diallo – an African immigrant who was shot in New York City. Bernard is a poet, who was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Currently he is a visiting assistant professor at Oberlin College in the United States. His work, amongst other things, explores issues surrounding the lives of young Africans abroad. He is one of 6 artists short-listed for The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. He has been speaking to Lawrence Pollard.
4: Hope Wabuke – ‘Inside alien ground’
Part of ‘Refugee mind’ – a poem by Hope Wabuke about her family’s experience as Ugandan refugees in the United States. She is a writer, essayist and poet based in California. But as someone born in exile to African parents, Hope’s work is part of her attempts to reclaim her heritage and Ugandan identity. Hope is one of 6 artists short-listed for The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. She has been speaking to Bola Mosuro.
5: Ngwatilo Mawiyoo – ‘We celebrate my life tonight’
Part of ‘Rituals at the Lake’- poem by Ngwatilo Mawiyoo about a birthday she spent with a host family on Lake Victoria, in her native Kenya. She was born in the capital Nairobi and is now a poet, performer, actress and musician. Her work is built around notions of home and identity. Ngwatilo is one of 6 artists short-listed for The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. She has been speaking to Julian Keane.
6: Nick Makoha – ‘There will be guns’
Part of ‘The Republic’ – a poem by Nick Makoha that explores the reasons for his departure from Uganda. He fled the country as a result of the political dictatorship of Idi Amin. Nick is now a poet and performance artist in London. His work explores notions of identity and belonging. Makoha is one of the winners of The 2015 Brunel University African Poetry Prize. He has been speaking to Alan Kasujja.