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Tell me Where You’ve Been
Arthur Dobrin’s Tell Me Where You Have Been adds to diverse voices in postcolonial migration and identity politics. It offers the reader a chance to reflect on the merits, demerits and consequences, thereof, of such immigration relative to the dynamics in host nations. What is the balance one should maintain between one’s identity and the new networks that are essential for one’s success in the host nation or community? What is the place of lived experiences and how do those shape success for the immigrant? How do these lived experiences intermingle and shape the immigrant’s trajectory in the foreign nation?
What others say
“I thought [the writing] was somewhat, “genius” at times. It is a style comparable to jazz music, characterized by improvising, syncopated rhythms with a strong emphasis on individual expressions and virtuosity.” — Eric Byas
“I was in suspense by the way the author toggled from the present to the past. the blending of historical events and characters, which at times caused me to forget this was fiction. This was a riveting page-turner with plot twists that kept me reading until the end.” — Vasco Figueira
“Tell Me Where You’ve Been is a powerful reflection on how people treat music, literature and especially people. I enjoyed it greatly.” — Brian Benavides
“The uniqueness of this book lies in Dobrin’s extension of Bhabha’s theory of onward migration and contemporary challenges among minorities living in host nations such as the United States of America.” — Dr. Andrew Nyongesa, Literature Scholar
The Village Pariah by Imali J. Abala
The Village Pariah, narrated in verse, dramatizes the story of Rosie Kasovo, a beautiful and lonely woman from Ngoroke village. Abandoned by her husband shortly after their marriage when he secures a job in the city, her striking beauty unwittingly becomes her double-edged sword, inviting relentless scrutiny from the people of Ngoroke. Every action she takes falls under their watchful gaze. Despite her sincere efforts to contribute positively to the common good of the community, her deeds are met with skepticism. As the accusations and betrayal against her mount, one question remains: will Rosie be able to emerge from this ordeal unscathed, or will she crumble under the weight of her village’s judgment?
What Others Say
The Village Pariah is a remarkable book illustrating how beauty was once believed to guarantee happiness and a seamless life, yet for Rosie, a Logooli woman, it has become a barrier, a pariah wall, isolating her from the community. Strangely, the fate of the entire village appears intertwined with hers, their destinies woven into the fabric of their relentless gossip. Into this tangled web steps Eliab, a man lacking noble standing but propelled by the villagers’ whispered truths, determined to confront her. If his impulsive action can mend their afflictions, both tangible and perceived and liberate the unfortunate souls ensnared by her charm, then so be it. - Alfred Nyagaka Nyamwange, English/Literature Teacher and Deputy Principal at Bon’gota Secondary School.
Rejected and Blessed by Anderea Morara
Rejected & Blessed is Anderea Morara’s second novel. His first novel, The Sting, has been adopted by many secondary schools as a crucial reader. Rejected & Blessed is set in East Africa, but cast in a global context with the primary purpose of highlighting the human aspects of the continuous cultural transformation from the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras as well as the global political economy. The novel tells the dramatic and traumatic love story in which the clash of cultures in the context of rapid social change, makes it awfuly difficult to determine right from wrong.
This book gives a glimpse of how this transition affected and is affecting, communities in the region and the resultant coping strategies as well as the effects of the associated coping mechanisms, especially in the realm of love, marriage and child-rearing. On the global scene, the subtle dynamics of economic hegemony, foreign aid, brain drain, racism and cultural dialectics are glossed on.
The Weight of Black Tongues and Other...
“The Weight of Black Tongues is an anthology of over half a dozen original short stories by an emerging star of new Kenyan literature, Bonface Nyamweya. This debut collection is both startling and gripping – envision it as a ride on the tail of a shooting star, zooming through Kenya’s night skies, each twinkle representing a unique story. As a dynamic figure in post-COVID-19 literary circles, whom I have had the honour of mentoring, Nyamweya showcases the depth and scope of storytelling in Kenya, transitioning from unusual novels and sartorial poetry to making his mark in short story fiction. From the enigmatic Whose Title Died to the riveting Waiting for Mama, each title in this new book invites readers into a world of mystery and profound reflection, solidifying Nyamweya as a rising force in African literature in the wake of the fin de siècle.
Ties of Destiny by Marjory Kimani
Ties of Destiny is the story of two men who are born together, brought up together, and bound together for life by incidence, coincidence and fate. The two are sworn enemies from their childhood and both are achievers, born fighters and dyed in the wool go-getters. However, their methods of achieving success are a lesson in differing world views and an insight into the complexities of the human psyche. At the heart of the story is the love of mothers who will do everything possible, even keeping deadly secrets, to protect their children. Things come to a head when an unexpected development occurs and both men are forced to confront the bitter reality and face a common nemesis until a solution is found from the most unexpected source.
Mucii ni Mucii
Mucii ni Mucii , written in Gikuyu one of Kenya's indigenous languages, is a moving story of a peasant girl who defies odds in her childhood to become one of the most prosperous people in the country. Starting in a background of biting poverty and an abusive father, Wahito drops out of school after her primary education and gets a low paying job after another.
Meanwhile, evil clouds are hanging over her horizons. In her youthful naïveté, she lets of the man who truly loves her and falls into the old trap of being lured by a "use and dump" type who has loads of cash to spend. In the most confused phase, her young life takes a downturn after that; and she moves from one crisis to another, including being orphaned while still a single mother.
But fate has other plans for her. She ends up with the man who was destined to be her soul mate. Together, they traverse a terrain full of many risks and barriers to realize the dreams of their lives. Through providence or destiny, it seems Wahito's life is forever intertwined with those of her girl friends. The story has a gripping climax with a lot of the unexpected happening.
In the end, all (of almost all) the pieces of Wahitos' chequered life fall into place and she seems to lead an exciting, happy prosperous life. But then, one never knows what happens next in Wahito's life.
Philosophy of Teachers’ Epistem...
Philosophy of Teachers’ Epistemic Beliefs for Changing Pedagogy: A Paradigm Shift to Competency-Based Education offers pedagogical insights into the paradigm shift intended by the 21st Century competency-based education. The authors, informed by both policy and research on education, argue that implementation of competency-based education requires anchoring pedagogical explorations on the epistemology of a competency-based curriculum. Research in personal epistemology reveals that teachers enact espoused epistemic beliefs in classroom pedagogical practice. Teachers must be empowered to change their pedagogical competencies by drawing their attention to their default epistemic beliefs which must be replaced by what is aligned with the epistemology of a competency-based curriculum.
The book makes the case that curriculum reforms necessarily imply pedagogical reforms. That is, pedagogy is parasitical on the epistemology of curriculum. The book exposes the underpinning epistemology of competency-based curriculum in Kenya and has gone further to derive epistemic beliefs that teachers should acquire to facilitate their efforts at reforming their pedagogy aligned to Competency-based education.
We live in a time of radical revolution where knowledge is a critical factor in all sectors of society. The education sector is charged with the responsibility of empowering learners as creators of knowledge. Learning how to learn is a key competency in adapting, utilizing and experimenting with novel conceptions of knowledge which includes changing teachers’ epistemic beliefs and attitudes.
This book is resourceful for policy-makers in teacher education, teacher educators at university and teacher training colleges, educationists, practicing classroom teachers, education researchers, school managers and readers interested in facilitating effective pedagogical change for the implementation of competency-based education.
What Others Say
“The authors of this book have competently simplified the technical aspects of CBE in such a way that the reader would readily understand the extent to which CBE is the way forward for nurturing 21st Century skills and competencies through formal education.” - Samson Okuro Gunga, Professor of Philosophy of Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Nairobi.
Enyangi y’Ebitinge
Traditional Wedding in Gusii (Enyangi y'Ebitinge), published posthumously, documents the process of old-style marriage in Gusii and related steps, culminating in a wedding ceremony. The process was meticulous and made of a series of steps, each with a very clear purpose and intended not just for the couple but also for their families and clans.
Abagusii attached a lot of value to marriage. It was a major landmark in the 'growing up' of a man or woman in that society. Marriage marked the transition from the care of one's parents to being independent and taking care of oneself and one's family. That transition was possible only after marriage.
The importance of marriage and the honour it was accorded is underlined by the respect that was given to a married woman. For example, if she found herself late in getting home someone, that person had an obligation to ensure that she got to her home safely; after all, she was a mother and her progeny would be the link to the future.
The book is a flashback to when family and relationships were valued and were at the core of order and success in society. It is especially informative today, especially when modern generations do not appear to associate as much importance to wedlock as it was in the past.
Totems of Abagusii of Kenya
Ebimanyererio nigo bire bi'echingencho ao ao ase abanto ao ao. N'enchera eyemo abanto b'ororeria oromo bakomanyana na kwemanyia ase abanto bande. Ase abande n'enchera y'ogwetogia. N'abande begenete buna ebimanyererio n'enchera eyemo y'okobeka okwegena ase chinkoro chi'abanto. Komenta nayio, ebimanyererio nigo bigokonya abanto koinyora ing'ai barwete nechimbwa chiabo. Soma egetabu eke egere omanye igoro y'ebimanyererio bi'Abagusii.
*****
Throughout the world, totems are used variously, including linking people with each other and defining the relationships among many people or groups of people. They can represent the connection between people and the spiritual world. Further, totems help people preserve their culture and history. This book presents totems of Abagusii and explains how they came to be, based on oral history passed down generations.
The Pearl on the Horizon
The Pearl on the Horizon is a moving story about the devastating effects of materialism which sends a rich ethical message in line with religious teachings. Madame Victorine Mahfouz grows up in a materialistic family and looks at everything through these lenses. On the other hand, Eugene and Fresha believe in high achievements in education and consequent roses. Confronted with unemployment and tough socio-economic demands, Madame Victorine mocks the two and even threatens to destroy their engagement. Underlying the plot is a classic romantic love relationship between Eugene and Fresher, on the one hand, and Madame Victorine’s illicit amorous scandals, on the other. In these well-written passages with techniques enriched by letters, songs, poems and narration, the reader will appreciate the author’s juxtaposition of success and survival. The Pearl on the Horizon draws a line between survival and success, crowns the latter prominence and discredits the former. The writer suggests that success is slow but bears enduring results. Survival, on the other hand, is quick but can lead to ruin.
What others say
“The novel is captivating and factual. It captures social and material conditions in Africa occasioned by poor governance. So what is success in the face of devastating levels of unemployment, stiff competition from the large pool of graduates and the need to survive? Is it unprincipled material acquisition and a ‘good living’ or a good education and ethical living?” – Rose Keya, Book Editor.
“The Pearl on the Horizon speaks volumes to young adults who may want to take shortcuts in life and the consequences of such actions.” Harriet Irungu, Student of Literature.