Skip to main content

Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize: A striptease

 


The Winner/Chief Guest: Jerusha Kananu Marete, 'Echoes of Military Souls'


Your truly, Sant Mark, 'A Funeral Dress for Nyasuguta', with the esteemed writer and musician, Tee Ngugi

24th/August/2023

Venue? Alliance Française, Nairobi. The event? Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize. The organisers? Mystery Publishers. The forward thinking companies that have come on board as the sponsors? CLAVIS Fashion Hub, U.M. Gallery, kamaNu, GL, Sayari Insurance Agencies, Alliance Française (and the French Embassy), and Nuria Bookstore. Subsequent stories will reveal why these are forward thinking companies.

Well, you can always  tell how big an event is by looking at the list of speakers and the notable attendees therein. The speakers: Prof. Mugubi, Prof. Wangari Mwai, Prof. Ngugi, Prof. Austin Bukenya, Alice Kairichi, Hon. Dr. John Kanyuithia Mutunga, Prof. PLO Lumumba, Prof. Mohammed Bakari, Justice (Retired) Aaron Ringera, Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu, Dr. Gameli Tordzro, Vincent de Paul, Ezekiel Machogu… eminent persons through and through. Notable attendees: Tee Ngugi, Smitta Smitten, John Sibi-Okumu, Empress Ciku…

Of course, an excellent event is also judged by the quality of scheduled entertainment: Kamanu Band, Humble Buoy Dancers, Sant Mark (yours truly), Swinton Nkatha, Qibuchi, Obert Dube, Dr. Gameli Tordzro, Jerusha Marete, Kimani Gichau…

The nominees to the prize: Dancan Ouma (City of Cannibals), Vincent de Paul (First Love), Jerusha Kananu Marete (Echoes of Military Souls - is a power-packed package of art that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a roller coaster stream of emotion. The poems forcefully remind us that soldiers lay down their lives for fellow humans. But do we really value this singular sacrifice?… ) 

And to the finale (fireworks), the winner of the 2022 Afrika Redefined Indie Book Prize… (more stories around the event next week)

(Meanwhile, get my short stories collection at: https://nuriakenya.com/product/a-funeral-dress-for-nyasuguta-by-mark-mwangi/)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Age, Dreams, Love, Death

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETIbcEdyVfk The sweet child, golden her smile Death of innocence, led to her being Love was had, made and shaped – furiously Age was come, the world and the home – to enrich. The sweet child, golden her smile Cuddly and warm is she, ‘cept when called to dine She would rather play, not away her dolls – file Tantrums she is, tantrums she does, this sweet child of mine. Age is catching up Dreams are drying up Love withers away Death rides on the highway. Dreams, the essence of all that is A business to start, a sweet one to kiss If killed, sharp is the cobra’s hiss The daring shoot the star, can’t – the moon – miss. The infant wonders, clear eyes wanders Age trickles, drips and drops to the sea There is still no dreaming of what could be Love, Death – each Being flounders. Age is catching up Dreams are drying up Love withers away Death rides on the highway. Love, some claim He and She - The First Words, deeds, faith, tr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Close to the Sun

  Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun Taste that which is forbidden Hold another man’s woman – in my arms Make love to her, dusk till it lights Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun. Soon, I’ll fly, close, to the sun Take her on a tour – Jerusalema Geography lessons – wonderful curves, round the contours Lips strawberry – lick ‘em up good – graze Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun. Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun Taste that - forbidden Hold another man’s woman – in my arms Strum her, dusk till it lights Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun. Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun Deep, long, moist – the earth – I plant my flag I am Coloniser – Paradise, claimed Grinds, thrusts   - the Space Ship takes flight Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun. Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun Taste that - forbidden Hold another man’s woman – in my arms Pluck her, dusk till it lights Soon, I’ll fly, close to the sun. Today, we mourn a good man A man who flew – too close to the sun A m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Written off: Jagaman

  Everybody had written him off, this person whom we shall call Jagaman. He had been an artiste of great promise – social, political issues, a bit of gospel. Then bad company came calling with small small easy money. Now, his songs turned into wine, song and smoke – Mary Jane. His eyes, full ‘nyanya’ –   red ripe tomatoes coloured. Morning till eve. He broke our hearts. Now, nobody called him to concerts and shows. His producer changed to dealing with gospel artistes only, for Jagaman had become full trouble – difficult in every which way: rehearsals, recording, bad breath and hygiene that made the whole studio stink when he was around, cuss words… his company was as desirous as an STI, which he confided to another artiste that he was being treated for. Already, parents in the neighbourhood were complaining as he had four children with three different girls barely out of their teens. It is like Jagaman was cursed. And the person who had cursed him had been buried, as we sa...
Post a Comment
Read more