While in Nairobi recently, we had the pleasure of debuting our authors first joint performance. [Un]Spoken was a dramatic reading and poetry performance by Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa and Peter Kagayi exploring the elements of fear and anger in relation to Ugandan politics and what role these emotions played back in the days of Idi Amin and Obote, when Philippa grew up, and in the current regime, the only regime that Kagayi knows. You can read a prelude to the performance here.
Their peformance was, as expected, absolutely brilliant! The audience was captivated by their diverse performing styles and at the end of the show we engaged in a thirty minute discussion on the issues highlighted, moderated by James Murua. We’ve put together a few of the photos we took so that our entire Sooo Many Stories family can experince a little of the magic with us.
“Writers are serving words for supper; Fishermen are fishing dirt and rubble…” – Saagala Agalamidde by Peter Kagayi (Pictured in White)
“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is hide. Run away. Remain unseen. Because it is all you have strength for…But the time will come when you can nolonger be brave in that way, when the silence nolonger gives you peace.” Unnamed by Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa
“I go to celebrate coming of age with sisters turning 40. It has been a long time.” -Echoes of a Journey by Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa
“I wish we were a community that respected the voice of art. I wish our people were adept to understanding the depth and importance that performance arts or creative expression brings.” – Peter Kagayi
“As Africans (who write) we do not need to apologize for our own languages in books, our ways of looking at the world. We need to trust our own stories, and we need to trust that if people really want to know, they will.” -Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa
Absolutely Captivated. Our Ugandan family that showed up to support,
“At breaktime, we sat together in a corner, whispering and laughing and keeping quiet.” – The Great Escape by Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa
“…the audience will break the silence and speak the things we speak. Then and only then, will society have found a reason to find us, poets, role-models.” -The Audience Must Say Amen by Peter Kagayi
“Return to old watering holes for more than water; friends and dreams are there to meet you.” – African Proverb
Philippa autographing one of her books after the performance.
Having a strong posse of girlfriends always contributes wonderfully to our #BlackGirlMagic. Here is Philippa with her’s.
“Keep the faith. The vision is always for the appointed time. Be patient, prayerful and wait for the fulfillment of your visions.” – Lailah Gifty Akita (Boss lady, Nyana Kakoma and her author’s Philippa Namutebi Kabali-Kagwa and Peter Kagayi.)
Yes we do! The Sooo Many Stories Team, ladies and gentlemen.
A huge thank you to all the Ugandans that came out and showed us love, Philippa’s friends that brought a joy you could physically feel and all the artists and appreciators of art in the audience. This wouldn’t have been possible without the talent that is Philippa and Peter and for them we could not be more grateful. Welcome to the family, our new Nairobi Storylovers! Until next time.
Great idea, getting two authors from the different periods of our history (when they cut their teeth, or came of age) to comment on current issues. Keep up the good work of such novel ideas and making them happen.
If a picture says a thousand words then these pictures say gazillion words.
This was dope, I can’t wait for the next one.
I was ecstatic to meet with the Soo many stories team.
Great idea, getting two authors from the different periods of our history (when they cut their teeth, or came of age) to comment on current issues. Keep up the good work of such novel ideas and making them happen.
If a picture says a thousand words then these pictures say gazillion words.
This was dope, I can’t wait for the next one.
I was ecstatic to meet with the Soo many stories team.
Made us so happy to see you in the audience. Thank you!