POETRY? MAYBE?

Daybreak  in Africa. Copyright 2017. Noonya.

POETRY IN UGANDA AND ELSEWHERE

The poetry of a community will reflect its stories, its rhythms and its joys and pains.
In Luganda, the main language spoken in Central Uganda,  poetry is called "Ebitontome", a direct translation into English could be 'those things that rhyme' as compared to songs that are called "Ennyimba" in Luganda. Most of the poems in the Luganda language have been orally recorded but some have been written down.

Among the Nanyankore and Banyarwanda, poetry is sometimes celebrated as " Ebyeevugo", These are usually tales and/or histories told in poetic form -similar to the ' Odyssey'  and 'The Iliad' by Homer of  the Greeks  and  to "The Tale of the Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge of England.

Poetry has been described in  the Oxford Dictionary as; "Literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature." (https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/poetry). Poetry is world wide.

 In this post, I will share some information and resources about poetry in Uganda.

UGANDA POETRY

Most of the poetry in Luganda and other Uganda languages is oral.
Recordings exist or songs that are actually poetry and of traditional rhymes and poetry in many places in Uganda if you look for them. The Uganda bookshop, the Makerere University library as well as the Languages departments would be good places to start looking.

In the written luganda  literature, one of the most famous poems in Luganda is the "Enfa Ya Matyansi Butyampa' poem by E K. N Kawere. He was a great writer and some of his books are listed and reviewed at the buganda website at http://www.buganda.com/bitabop1.htm#table.
Some of his poetry books are available in public libraries worldwide and can be borrowed if you have access to those libabries. One is titled "Ebitontome eby'a Makulu" Published by Nelson in Series; African literature collection ; no. 75, 1963.

https://search.library.wisc.edu/search/catalog/author?q=%22Kawere%2C+Edward+K.+N%22
 At Makerere Unviersity copies of the books should be available in the University library.

 Poems From East Africa

 

The Uganda Bookshop and other shops has a great book of poems; some of the best poets from the early post colonial East Africa are found in that book. A must have.
http://ugandabookshop.co.ug/home/288-poems-from-east-africa

FEMRITE

The African Saga by Susan Kiguli.

AFRICAN BOOK COLLECTIVE

Wondering and Wandering of Hearts Susan Kiguli and H Twongyeire Eds.
http://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/wondering-and-wandering-of-hearts

SOOO MANY STORIES

Soo many stories have publshed the work of poet Kagayi Ngobi and you can order his book online at https://somanystories.ug/

Activities for Poetry

You can also go to the following places and listen to, participate in poetry in Kampala or buy books about Ugandan poetry;

Mondays

If you  enjoy reading poetry or writing poetry and other literature; you could visit or even join FEMRITE.  
FEMRITE have a Monday Readers Writers Club running from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at their offices in Bukoto Kira Road on the opposite side just before you reach the Kira Road Police Station. Be there in time to enjoy readings and discussions of poetry  and other written works, Mondays 5:30pm.

  

Bi weekly.; Lantern Meet of Poets 

They meet at the Uganda National Theater. Bi weekly

BUYING POETRY BOOKS

Everyday

Aristoc Bookshop, Uganda Bookshop and BookPoint at Bugolobi all have books on Poetry.

You can go buy books on poetry from Uganda on any day but particularly 

 Saturdays

The  Kampala Book Market is held at the Uganda Museum located office of the Uganda Society.
A very knowledgeable and pleasant young man called Kwizera runs that show. Many and varied books on poetry and other subjects are found there.

 Online

Other resources about poetry online include;
oetry Foundation
Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation 
Badilisha Poetry    ...and many others.

So if it so please you and by your own choice, you could go visit any and all of those places to learn and read about poetry. May be you could be inspired or could write  and publish some poetry yourself.

Till Next Time.


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email; noonyabooks@gmail.com