Yvonne Owuor, a Tejumola Creative Writer-in-Residence at The Africa Institute (GSU), delivered the keynote address on October 30, 2024, at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Literature’s annual international conference themed “The Role of Literature in Peace Promotion.” The conference brought together literary scholars and enthusiasts from Africa and beyond, featuring additional speakers Dr. Pepetual Mforbe (University of Music & Theatre, Rostock) and Tetsuko Watanabe (Soka University).
Owuor’s keynote lecture was well received, particularly by young scholars, and sparked vigorous debate among attendees. One prominent scholar objected to the concept of a “peace industry,” expressing concerns about its cynicism. However, two other scholars, including Professor Wanjala and esteemed Kiswahili author Professor Kithaka wa Mberia, mounted a solid defense of the phrase, arguing that it reflected current realities.
Event host Dr. Miriam Musonye, Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, highlighted the title’s concept of a ‘crucible’ as a vessel for blending foundational elements through thoughtful discourse. Owuor’s metaphorical approach inspired a request for a world-building workshop with students, motivated by the challenges posed in her speech.
The other lectures presented were refreshingly radical, with a search for a new lexicon to reflect contemporary realities. Although some discussions focused on Kenya, many topics resonated globally. Owuor noted the inclusion of “Sheng,” a colloquial blend of Kiswahili and English, as a significant aspect of the dialogue.
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, born in Nairobi, Kenya, is a celebrated author known for her evocative prose and profound thematic explorations. Owuor holds an M.Phil in Creative Writing from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Owuor’s debut novel, Dust (2014), examines Kenya’s history through a family’s tragedy, while her second novel, The Dragonfly Sea (2019), explores East African oceanic imagination and Africa-Asia relations within a coming-of-age narrative. Her work has appeared in international literary magazines and publications, including National Geographic. Owuor is also a filmmaker and co-founder of the Nairobi-based Macondo Literature Festival.
During her residency, Owuor will develop a novel titled Nocturne. This transtemporal narrative weaves together the lives of Jonah Imhotep Ooko, an entomologist from East Africa, and Anaoumi Yara Gueye, a hydrometeorologist from the Sahel. Nocturne explores the psychological and emotional legacies of colonialism, addressing themes of darkness, ancestral trauma, and the quest for healing. Drawing on African myths, archetypes, and historical metaphors, the novel examines how confronting these elements can lead to transformative insights and contribute to processes of world rebuilding and future-making.
Yvonne Owuor, a Tejumola Creative Writer-in-Residence at The Africa Institute (GSU), delivered the keynote address on October 30, 2024, at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Literature’s annual international conference themed “The Role of Literature in Peace Promotion.” The conference brought together literary scholars and enthusiasts from Africa and beyond, featuring additional speakers Dr. Pepetual Mforbe (University of Music & Theatre, Rostock) and Tetsuko Watanabe (Soka University).
Yvonne Owuor, a Tejumola Creative Writer-in-Residence at The Africa Institute (GSU), delivered the keynote address on October 30, 2024, at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Literature’s annual international conference themed “The Role of Literature in Peace Promotion.” The conference brought together literary scholars and enthusiasts from Africa and beyond, featuring additional speakers Dr. Pepetual Mforbe (University of Music & Theatre, Rostock) and Tetsuko Watanabe (Soka University).
Owuor’s keynote lecture was well received, particularly by young scholars, and sparked vigorous debate among attendees. One prominent scholar objected to the concept of a “peace industry,” expressing concerns about its cynicism. However, two other scholars, including Professor Wanjala and esteemed Kiswahili author Professor Kithaka wa Mberia, mounted a solid defense of the phrase, arguing that it reflected current realities.
Event host Dr. Miriam Musonye, Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, highlighted the title’s concept of a ‘crucible’ as a vessel for blending foundational elements through thoughtful discourse. Owuor’s metaphorical approach inspired a request for a world-building workshop with students, motivated by the challenges posed in her speech.
The other lectures presented were refreshingly radical, with a search for a new lexicon to reflect contemporary realities. Although some discussions focused on Kenya, many topics resonated globally. Owuor noted the inclusion of “Sheng,” a colloquial blend of Kiswahili and English, as a significant aspect of the dialogue.
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, born in Nairobi, Kenya, is a celebrated author known for her evocative prose and profound thematic explorations. Owuor holds an M.Phil in Creative Writing from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Owuor’s debut novel, Dust (2014), examines Kenya’s history through a family’s tragedy, while her second novel, The Dragonfly Sea (2019), explores East African oceanic imagination and Africa-Asia relations within a coming-of-age narrative. Her work has appeared in international literary magazines and publications, including National Geographic. Owuor is also a filmmaker and co-founder of the Nairobi-based Macondo Literature Festival.
During her residency, Owuor will develop a novel titled Nocturne. This transtemporal narrative weaves together the lives of Jonah Imhotep Ooko, an entomologist from East Africa, and Anaoumi Yara Gueye, a hydrometeorologist from the Sahel. Nocturne explores the psychological and emotional legacies of colonialism, addressing themes of darkness, ancestral trauma, and the quest for healing. Drawing on African myths, archetypes, and historical metaphors, the novel examines how confronting these elements can lead to transformative insights and contribute to processes of world rebuilding and future-making.
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