Overview

Stray Truths is a stirring introduction to the poetry of Euphrase Kezilahabi, one of Africa’s major living authors, published here for the first time in English. Born in 1944 on Ukerewe Island in Tanzania (then the Territory of Tanganyika), Kezilahabi came of age in the newly independent nation. His poetry confronts the task of postcolonial nation building and its conundrums, and explores personal loss in parallel with nationwide disappointments. Kezilahabi sparked controversy when he published his first poetry collection in 1974, introducing free verse into Swahili. His next two volumes of poetry (published in 1988 and 2008) confirmed his status as a pioneering and modernizing literary force. Stray Truths draws on each of those landmark collections, allowing readers to encounter the myriad forms and themes significant to this poet over a span of more than three decades. Even as these poems jettison the constraints of traditional Swahili forms, their use of metaphor connects them to traditional Swahili poetics, and their representational strategies link them to indigenous African arts more broadly. To date, translations of Swahili poetry have been focused on scholarly interpretations. This literary translation, in contrast, invites a wide audience of readers to appreciate the verbal art of this seminal modernist writer.

Full Product Details

Author:   Annmarie Drury ,  Annmarie Drury (Queens College, City University of New York)
Publisher:   Michigan State University Press
Imprint:   Michigan State University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.227kg
ISBN:  

9781611861822

ISBN 10:   1611861829
Pages:   142
Publication Date:   01 November 2015
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments Translator’s Introduction From Kichomi (1974) Utangulizi Introduction Uvuaji wa Samaki Victoria Fishing at Lake Victoria Ukweli Truth Namagondo Namagondo Wimbo wa Mlevi The Drunk’s Song Mto Nili The Nile River Mgomba Banana Tree Kuchambua Mchele Sorting the Rice Dhamiri Yangu Consciousness Tatizo Problem Wimbo wa Kunguni The Bedbug’s Song Kumbukumbu 1 Remembrance 1 Kumbukumbu 2 Remembrance 2 Kisu Mkononi Knife in Hand Fungueni Mlango Open the Door From Karibu Ndani (1988) Chai ya Jioni Evening Meal Azimio Resolution Ngoma ya Kimya Silent Dance Karibu Ndani Welcome Inside Wao Pia Walicheza They Too Danced Mbegu The Seed Nondo Moth Waliozaliwa Those Who Were Born Kifo cha Mende Wekundu The Death of Red Cockroaches Kilio Kijijini A Cry in the Village Matumaini Hope Namagondo II Namagondo II Kuishi Living Neno The Word From Dhifa (2008) Mafuriko Flood Jibwa Dog Kuwako Being Here Marahaba Reception Nani na Nani ni Nani? Who Plus Who Is Who? Wimbo wa Unyago Initiation Song Nani Kaua! Look at the Killer! Kupatwa kwa Jua Solar Eclipse Namagondo III Namagondo III Kuishi Kwajitembeza Living Walks Itself Around Hatima ya Watu An Ending for the People Tena na Tena Again and Again Mlokole Christian Revivalist Uzi Thread Ukweli-Koko Stray Truth Embe-Roho Mango-Spirit Upole wa Mkizi Gentleness of the Cuttlefish Muungano Union Hoja Statement Pa! Pa!

Reviews

Drury s translations are as elegant as they are accurate. Her selections include Kezilahabi s most well-known works as well as poems that illustrate trends in his work and that appealed to both the poet and the translator. Drury s perceptive introduction should be read by all translators and all students of African literatures. Ann Biersteker, Assistant Director, African Studies Center, Michigan State University

Drury's translations are as elegant as they are accurate. Her selections include Kezilahabi's most well-known works as well as poems that illustrate trends in his work and that appealed to both the poet and the translator. Drury's perceptive introduction should be read by all translators and all students of African literatures. --Ann Biersteker, Assistant Director, African Studies Center, Michigan State University

""Drury's translations are as elegant as they are accurate. Her selections include Kezilahabi's most well-known works as well as poems that illustrate trends in his work and that appealed to both the poet and the translator. Drury's perceptive introduction should be read by all translators and all students of African literatures."" --Ann Biersteker, Assistant Director, African Studies Center, Michigan State University

Author Information

Annmarie Drury is Assistant Professor of English at Queens College of the City University of New York.

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