I have to say, I'm especially intrigued by the literary culture of Kenya, a nation that is young in every sense of the word: it has not yet celebrated fifty years as an independent country, and it is home to a ridiculously high percentage of people who are under thirty. In such a context, what can be said about the emerging literary tradition? How is a 'canon' created? Ngugi wa Thiong’o is certainly the international superstar to come from Kenya; the namesake of this website is still predominantly associated with it; Binyavanga Wainaina is the hip new face of it. Grace Ogot sometimes gets remembered. But what of the other voices -- especially the young ones? What stories are being told, and how?
The Christian Science Monitor has a nice piece that takes a peek, especially profiling the good work of Kwani? Trust, founded by Wainana and based in Nairobi. Kwani? is a nonprofit that publishes books and a popular literary journal (the nation's first), hosts monthly open mics, and facilitates projects that engage young writers. And it has gotten innovative with medium.
... many Kenyans don’t have the disposable income to spend on the $10 journals. So Kwani? has begun selling individual short stories in pocket-sized booklets, not only in bookstores but also in supermarkets, for about $2.50. The goal is to harness the lower-spending end of the market, as well as first-time readers.
It’s a strategy that seems to be working. “Today, Kenyans have begun to read,” (bookseller Protous) Ikutwa says. “They want to know about their country.”
Ironically, the explosion of creativity seems to be riding on the same forces that have thrown the country into the worst instability in decades, following disputed elections at the end of 2007. Kenyan society is in some kind of convulsion, and people have things to say about it.
... On the cultural scene, however, the crisis has broken open a vibrant creative space – and revealed a thirst for expression, as Kenyans grapple with their country’s future.
“There’s positive chaos and negative chaos,” says Mr. (Billy) Kahora in his Nairobi office (of Kwani?). The 30-something editor smiles a little ruefully.
Image Credit: The Christian Science Monitor
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