Shailja Patel’s Bwagamoyo Staged Reading, Jul 9 2009 @ Wasanii Restaurant

PEN International Kenya Chapter and Wasanii Literary Nights present a staged reading of:
BWAGAMOYO (The Father) : Part II of MIGRITUDE by Shailja Patel
Special Guest Actor: MUSIRA

On July 9th at 7pm at Wasanii Restaurant, Kenya National Theatre

What do Samuel Kivuitu’s neck, Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s ribcage, William Ruto’s abdomen, and the hands of a Nairobi grease monkey all have in common?

Find out on this poetic journey, from colonial Zanzibar to Kenya’s post-election violence, by way of the male body.
A powerful, heartbreaking, hilarious exploration of how patriots become patriarchs, muscles queered dismantle masculinities, and daughters confront fathers.
An anthemic call to reconnect gut to heart to voice.
To challenge icons and claim our own power.
To sing ourselves back from our violent histories to new ways of knowing and living the truth.

This reading is dedicated to Bantu Mwaura (1969 – 2009). Brother, friend, truth teller. Mourned and deeply missed.

Followed by Discussion With Audience
Event is FREE, with voluntary contributions requested to Kenya PEN.