Wamathai Spoken Word Returns - Impressively!
After a one year break, Nairobians recently got a treat at Wamathai Spoken Word, an event that happens once every three months, made a comeback at the Louis Leakey Auditorium at the National Museum (12th Sept). For the first time, the event, otherwise associated with live music and poetry, also presented a DJ set with DJ David Mugo (of Niaje). The founder James Wamathai says, “It’s been a long time coming. The break was because we needed a new direction, and the comeback was great! So many people came and the venue is amazing. With the lights low, you could only see the guys who are performing on stage. At the previous venue, we didn’t have such intimacy as people also stood at the back to talk. Here you couldn’t even whisper. The DJ set was also great to allow people to talk and know each other. I am happy with the new direction. Even though we had few artists it was an enjoyable and intimate show.”
The October event was hosted by Sadia Ahmed. Poets at the event included Adelle Onyango, El Poet, Eudiah Kamonjo, Mwende Ngao and Raya Wambui even did a Westgate tribute to show that even though no member of her family was hurt, everyone was affected by it. If I had to choose the best performance of the day, it would be a tie between Abu Sense and Rehema; a poet from Uganda. Abu Sense kept the audience laughing with his piece done in a Jamaican accent. Rehema was also entertaining with her poetry that had the audience laughing at the sexual connotations. The poets were all spectacular with pieces that covered many topics; from love to fighting inner demons. Elani, set to launch their debut album in December, also performed at Wamathai.
Judging from the audience size and the number of people who got there an hour early, the one year absence only served to make people more interested in Wamathai Spoken Word. If the new venue and DJ set become a permanent fixture, the event is set to gain an even larger audience!
For more on Wamathai and to read a lot of local literature, visit wamatha.com
By Lulu Akaki; additional reporting by Anyiko Owoko
