Interesting Variety 

Oral literature in Kenya is as diversified as the country’s population. The members of the matatu industry, aspiring guitarists and poets, majority of who are in the young generation, children and the older members alike churn raw words and phrases that grow into lyrics to songs or become amazingly versed poems. This they do for a number of reasons, including:

  • Sustaining society
  • Enlivening events and competitions
  • Supporting home-grown and international talent

To Sustain the Society

Participants

Kenya’s oral literature is written for families, friends, the government, and even for foes to support worthy courses.

Setting

The traditional setting was always a fire and all the members of the extended family attended. Whether shadows were looming on the walls to complete a scary story, whether an elderly one was giving advice on family matters or those of the heart, strong bonds between families were created and fun was had.

Subject

In today’s society, the themes in Kenya’s oral literature remain unchanged:

  • Societal values
  • Comedy
  • Education
  • Leadership for change
  • Crime and its eradication
  • Sharpening wit

It is only the setting that has been altered.

During Events and Competitions

Performances take place across the nation on public holidays. Performances are also staged by schools and universities through which talent is discovered. The most common forms are:

  • Poems
  • Songs
  • Traditional dances and plays

Nairobi’s Oral Literature Representatives

In the local scene, ‘Kwani?’ and Story Moja Africa in Nairobi take centre stage when oral literature in Kenya is mentioned.

Kwani

‘Kwani?’ is famed for its weekly open mic sessions and regular readings of outstanding stories among the piles of raw talent by the authors themselves! These live readings are popularly referred to as ‘Sunday Salons.’

Sizzling Performers

Number 8, Kennet B and Ngwatilo Mawiyoo are just some of those that regularly grace the open mic scene put together by ‘Kwani?’ at the Club Sound in Nairobi every week. The readings are accompanied by serene music by artists such as June Gachui. Whether amid dimmed lighting, sips of soft drinks and fresh interpretations of the verses through drawings and paintings, time spent at Club Sound, at the Dass Ethiopian Restaurant or at pre- booked events, such as at the Holiday Inn in Westlands or Kengeles in Lavington, is always worth an oral literature lover’s time.

Story Moja Africa

Story Moja Africa, on the other hand, has been responsible for competitions such as:

  • The Story Moja Hay Festival
  • Nationwide workshops supporting children’s writing
  • Live readings dubbed ‘Kenyan Conversations’

To Support Local and International Talent

Oral literature in this budding nation has risen to the professional level. The extraordinary lyrics and rhymes of local artistes are revamping the Gospel Industry in Kenya. The performances are drawing people, both local and international. Key local gospel artists include:

  • Eko Dydda
  • Juliani

Humour Galore

The other subsets in the goldmine that is Kenya’s oral literature still burn bright within Kenya’s comedy industry, for instance.

Comedy

Performers such as Churchill of the Churchill Live Show and the perpetrators who are the producers of shows such as ‘Last Comic Standing’ have a lot to write home about.

Mchongoano

While the flames are bright in the media, the locals haven’t forgotten the laughter that oozes from groups of the young and the old passing time in their neighbourhoods. Locally termed ‘mchongoano’, the events teach patriots of oral literature to use similes and metaphors to jokingly trample their opponents. The sessions can very well be tuned into literary battles at the home front, in clubs throughout the week, and during fan fares.

The poems, the narratives, the plays and the songs have unveiled themselves across the nation. The numbers are awaiting the entertainment. All that remains is the setting and the unearthing of more definitive raw talent to blow minds. Show up and show off!