The Imaginative Vision of Abdilatif Abdalla's Voice of Agony

Sauti ya Dhiki is a collection of prison poems by Abdilatif Abdalla, composed between 1969 and 1972 while incarcerated for sedition. Imaginative Vision is the first complete literary translation into English, translated by Ken Walibora Waliaula and edited by Annmarie Drury. It tells the story of the book, its inception, its affiliations with subsequent works of prison literature, its links to literary art of the past, and social and historical aspects of the Swahili coastal world that nurtured Abdilatifs political engagement and verbal art. Contributors bring insights from their diverse backgrounds to contextualize the poems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 370 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

The extraordinary Swahili poetry collection "Sauti ya Dhiki," translated as "Voice of Agony" in English, is a remarkable compilation of prison poems composed by Abdilatif Abdalla between 1969 and 1972. While incarcerated by the government of Jomo Kenyatta for sedition due to his political activism, Abdilatif ingeniously crafted these poems on toilet paper. This collection, which has now been fully translated into English for the first time, is a testament to the power of words and the resilience of the human spirit.

"Imaginative Vision" is the name given to this remarkable translation effort. It was brought to life by the late Kenyan novelist and scholar Ken Walibora Waliaula, with the invaluable editorial guidance of Annmarie Drury. This translation not only presents the beauty of Swahili poetry to English-language readers but also delves into the story behind the book. Supporting materials provide insights into the circumstances of Abdilatif's arrest and trial at the age of 22. They explore the profound impact that "Sauti ya Dhiki" had on its first readers and its connections to subsequent extraordinary works of prison literature by Alamin Mazrui and Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo. The volume's links to literary art of the past, including the nineteenth-century poet Muyaka bin Haji, are also explored. Furthermore, the book sheds light on social and historical aspects of the Swahili coastal world that nurtured Abdilatif's political engagement and stunning verbal art.

Contributors to this project, drawn from diverse backgrounds, bring their unique perspectives to provide contextualizing material that enhances our understanding of the poems at the heart of "Sauti ya Dhiki." Their insights and interpretations enrich the reading experience, allowing us to appreciate the depth and complexity of Abdilatif's artistry even more.

In conclusion, "Sauti ya Dhiki" is a testament to the power of poetry and the indomitable human spirit. Through the extraordinary translation efforts of Ken Walibora Waliaula and Annmarie Drury, this collection has been brought to life, allowing English-language readers to experience the profound beauty and resilience of Abdilatif Abdalla's words. "Imaginative Vision" not only presents a literary masterpiece but also provides a window into the history and culture of the Swahili coastal world. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of language and the human experience.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472056613