Bassey Ikpi

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | November 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati: Can you tell us about your background includig your origin, childhood, education, etc.?

I was born in Ikom, Cross River State in Nigeria. My people are Yakuur from Ugepland. I left Nigeria when I was about 4 years old for Stillwater, Oklahoma. I started writing in Stillwater when I was 8 years old because it was such a culture shock for me. When I was 13 my family and I moved to Maryland (in the DC area) which was a whole other kind of culture shock. I went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for college but I moved to New York to start writing before I had a chance to finish school. As you can probably imagine, my Naija parents are THRILLED! » Read more…

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Musa Okwonga - Poet

Written by Mwabi Murdock | October 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati:  What is Cultural background? » Read more…

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Spoken Word - Hypen-American

Written by Mwabi Murdock | September 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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HERU Speaks…

Written by Busola Grillo | June 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jamati: How are you doing?

Heru: Am good, thanks.

Jamati: What is your real name and what part of Africa is your original homeland?

Heru: My real name is the name that was held by my ancestors back when we were free and ruled the world. Therefore, my real name is my indigenous African name. Heru is an ancient African/Egyptian/Kemetan name which I reclaimed for the benefit of African integrity. African people should have African names. I am yet to meet the French man or the European man named Kwame, Ife’, or Ade’ because of their love for the African culture. So at the very least, for the sake of equality, I cannot accept any name outside of my authentic African identity. » Read more…

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