Words::Music::Movement

24 Apr

I can’t get enough of the arts as a powerful tool for self-examination, self-expression and healing. Story Moja, which seeks to increase readership in Kenya (and more), has recently produced ‘Cut off my Tongue’, a series of poems by Sitawa Namwalie, brought to life by a talented cast that delivers a humorous, poignant, emotional and thought-provoking production of words imbued with music and movement.

After successful performances in Nairobi (for the Afro-fashionistas: dressed in striking Afro-chic Kiko Romeo splendour), Cut off my Tongue is due to go on tour in the UK in May 2009, including featuring at the renown Hay Festival, uh huh. Meanwhile, more performances are scheduled in Nairobi.

If you can, do go see. You will not be disappointed. Mark my words.

The ’Cut off my Tongue’ performance is devised as a show of dramatized poetry that incorporates spoken poetry, music, dance and movement. It is based on the poetry of Sitawa Namwalie. The poetry of Sitawa Namwalie gives Kenyans an opportunity to explore these changes together. Although the poetry focuses on Kenya it deals with issues that other African countries are currently addressing.

The poetry of Sitawa Namwalie distils the essence of life in Kenya in its most fundamental form. Individual poems work together in the show as interrelated stories that explore different aspects life moving from large global themes to more personal intimate recollections and spaces. The body of work traverses five key themes including:

Place and Evolving identity

Politics and Political Critique

Love and Desire

Tradition and Genealogy

Also, Coming soon to Nairobi: 3-day Literary Festival, brought by Storymoja in collaboration with UK’s Hay Festival

Come celebrate ideas, books and culture. Come join the debates, music, competitions, public discussions, theatre, poetry, readings and more with Kenyan and International stars, visionaries, thinkers, writers, artists

Impala Grounds, July 31^st, August 1^st and 2^nd 2009

For more information, check out the websites: Story Moja and Hay Festival