Items

• Jack Mapanje of Malawi

  Jack Mapanje a university lecturer who writes poetry in English and Chewa, discusses his aspirations as a writer, the future of literature in Malawi, and the problems of getting published. Includes selections of his poetry in English.
• Poems

  Consists of two poems, one an imaginary poem by Siad Barre entitled "Dabargoyn" (Eradication), which is about Siad Barre's battle against Hargeisa in north eastern Somalia and his desire to eradicate the clans there; the second one is entitled "Mey" (May), and celebrates the victory over Siad Barre's forces in that battle.
• Kalu Uka of Nigeria
• Bahadur Tejani of Uganda

  Exiled Ugandan writer Bahadur Tejani discusses his early literary experiences at Makerere University and examines the themes in his novel and poems, including his concern for what he calls the "brown" Ugandans, or those of South Asian descent. Includes readings of his poetry and prose.
• Onalenna Selolwane of Botswana

  The author discusses her aspirations as a writer, her experience in the University of Botswana Writers Workshop, and the purpose for writing her plays and poems. She says that although her work so far has been in English, she plans to write in Setswana to reach a largely uneducated population.
• Stephen A.Mpashi Zambia

  he author, who writes poems and novels in his native language Bemba, gives his views on the importance of literature in indigenous African languages. He summarizes themes and plots from some of his works. Includes a reading in English from one of his novels.
• Mrs Ntšeliseng Masechele Khaketla of Lesotho

  The author discusses how she began writing plays and poetry in Sotho becasue of a lack of written materials for use in teaching. She comments on the problems of fostering an interest in literature in her country and the absense of publishing outlets for creative writing.
• Yam Yam (Abdulqadir Hersi Siad) of Somalia

  The author, interviewed through an interpreter, explains how he got started giving oral poetry readings in 1966. He discusses the importance of the oral tradition in Somali culture. Includes readings from his works.
• Seth Ashong-Katai of Ghana

  The author defends his "angry" poetry, saying that raw language and violent images are necessary to expose corruption in society. He reads from one of his poems. In another segment Lee Nichols reads a letter written some two years later by the author in which he says he is maturing as a poet and is changing his ideas and his tactics toward more peaceful poetry.
• Efua T. Sutherlan of Ghana

  The author describes how she began writing as a teacher because she felt children needed literature appropriate to their cultural background. She discusses the preservation of Ghanaian cultural hertiage in the themes of ther novels, poetry, and plays. She reads a portion of one of her plays in English.
• J.S.M. Matsebula of Swaziland

  he author discusses the praise singer tradition in African language poetry. He comments on the fact that he wrote his early works in Swazi and later produced some of the first literature even written in Swazi. He reads portions of a novel and several poems in Zulu and translates them into English.
• Enoch Timpunza Mvula of Malawi

  The author discusses his poetry and plays written in Chewa and in English. Includes portions of the author's work recorded in Chewa and in English.
• Adébáyọ̀ Fálétí of Nigeria

  The author, who writes poetry, plays, and novels in Yoruba, reads portions of his work in Yoruba and translates them into English. He discusses the importance of writing in vernacular languages and describes a new type of publication in which plays in Youruba have been published with numerous photographs of productions of the plays with captions containing relevant dialogue. LC Subjects Fálétí, Adébáyọ̀, 1935---Interviews.
• Kalu Uka of Nigeria

  The author discusses his literary career, themes in his novels, poetry, and plays, and reads excerpts from two novels in English.
• R.D. Molefe of Botswana

  R.D. Molefe who writes poetry in the praise singer tradition speaks about his writing career, explains the traditions which are reflected in his work, and reads his poetry in Setswana and in English.
• Solomon Mutswairo of Zimbabwe

  Solomon Mutswairo discusses the culture and traditions of the Zezuru people as seen in his novel Feso. He outlines the controversy which came from political interpretations of the novel and its subsequent banishment in Rhodesian schools. He reads a portion of the book in English and reads poems in Zezuru and English.
• Okot p'Bitek of Uganda

  The author discusses the traditions of the Acholi people and how these traditions have influenced his poetry and stories. He reads a portion of his Song of Lawino in English and discusses the significance of this long poem.
• F. Mbassi Manga of Cameroon

  Dr. Mbassi Manga, chairman of the Dept. of English at the University of Yaounde, reads his unpublished poems in Duala. He discusses ways in which writing in indigenous African languages can be stimulated and diffused.
• A.A. Opoku of Ghana

  A.A. Opoku discusses his attempts to simulate "drum language" in his poetry written in Twi. He reads from his poetry and from his novels and stories.
• Felix Mnthali of Malawi

  Dr. Mnthali who writes poetry and stories in Chewa and in English discusses his work and offers thoughts on the fostering of literature in Chewa. He also reads some of his poetry in English.
• Buma Kor of Cameroon

  The author discusses how he began writing poetry as a young man and later wrote some short stories and dramas. He emphasizes that he writes at the level of the common people and in "African English." Includes readings of some of his poetry.
• Chris Wanjala of Kenya

  The author offers his views on the emergence of literary criticism in Africa and tells how he has tried to popularize criticism through his reviews in the newspapers and on radio. He discusses one of his stories and reads one of his poems.
• Muusa Galaal of Somalia [sound recording].

  The author, a collector of Somali folklore discusses the preservation of Somali heritage. He recites several poems in Somali
• The formal name of a work, such as a monograph, serial, or painting