The collection features poignant poems that critically explore environmental issues facing the planet. Niyi Osundare employs a pastoral lens to reflect on the beauty and fragility of nature, urging readers to consider the impact of human actions on the world. Through vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes, the poems serve as a call to awareness and action regarding the health of the Earth.
The collection showcases a blend of declarative, confessional, and reflective poetry, predominantly visionary in nature. Written around the poet's fortieth birthday, it vibrantly celebrates life's contrasts, exploring themes of pain and pleasure while engaging deeply with Africa's challenges and potential. The varied and experimental style enhances the lyrical quality, making it a significant contribution to contemporary African literature.
The collection showcases the resilience of the human spirit in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, reflecting on loss and renewal. Through sensuous and daring lyrical poetry, the author reveals a deeply personal perspective, contrasting his well-known political themes. This work serves as a testament to life's affirmation and the enduring nature of creativity, offering a poignant exploration of personal and collective experiences shaped by disaster.
Centered on the image of the moon, this collection features thirty-six poems that delve into original themes and vivid imagery. Niyi Osundare, a celebrated Nigerian writer and award winner, utilizes rhythmic language to create harmony throughout the work. Moonsongs stands out for its exploration of diverse ideas, earning an Honourable Mention in the 1989 Noma Award.
This collection features a vibrant exploration of time and identity through poetry, with each day of the week personified as a character in "Children of the Week." Osundare delves into the unique traits and stories of these days, enriched by myth and music. The second section presents a continuous poem titled "Some days," while the final part celebrates Special Days, further showcasing the poet's evocative and lyrical voice. This work captures the essence of daily life and the fleeting nature of moments with depth and creativity.
The collection serves as a poetic response to the despair prevalent in contemporary African society, highlighting the potential for laughter and its various forms. Drawing from oral and Yoruba literary traditions, the poems reflect a rich cultural heritage while addressing serious themes. Winning The Noma Award for Publishing in Africa in 1991, this volume is celebrated for its unique blend of humor and depth, offering a hopeful perspective amidst challenges.
The first play explores the emotional fallout for a dedicated employee who faces retrenchment after years of service, impacting his self-worth and family dynamics. In the second play, a corrupt businessman’s aspirations for his daughter’s extravagant marriage unravel, revealing the complexities of ambition and familial relationships. Together, these narratives delve into themes of integrity, ambition, and the consequences of societal pressures.
A recently published play from the prolific Nigerian poet, dramatist and literary critic, which testifies to the author's commitment to socially relevant art and artistic activism for which he is justifiably renowned. The play tells the story of Yankeland, an imaginary African country, where the country's natural and donated wealth is in the hands of a few corrupt rulers in cahoots with the American military. The powerful prey on the exploited masses, whilst upholding a facade of god-fearing morality. The play is written in the style of street theatre and producs a biting and dramatic satire on political authoritarianism and ignorance, which the author holds responsible for the backwardness of many African countries.The play does however show that such oppression is being challenged; and that the natural inclination of human beings is towards resistance and solidarity, for which Osundare's characters demonstrate great capacity.The courage, unambiguous criticism and optimism in the future are reflected in the performance history of the play itself, which was first staged at the Arts Theatre at the University of Ibadan in 1997, during the time of one of Nigeria's most repressive military dictatorships.
Niyi Osundare, one of Africa's most prominent poets and resident of New Orleans, La was one of the many whose life was caught in the destructive force of hurricane Katrina. Rescued by a neighbor with a boat, losing all that he had, exiled without even an identification to several states, he returned to rebuild his life and house. Written over the last five years, these poems recount both his loss and a thank you to those who helped.
About two decades in the making, this is a new volume of poetry on Niyi Osundare's journeys in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Running through the poems is the poet's exploration of the ways places make people and people make places, and the primordial role of the road as agent of separation and connection. The poet's peregrinations take him through an astounding array of the world's landscapes, historical landmarks, and cultural particularities, producing a multiplicity of ideas which demonstrate the essential similarities in the human experience.