The conditions that prisoners in Kenya endure are extremely barbaric. Every morning at 5 a.m., male prisoners are ordered out of the cells stark naked for internal body searches. The guards search their mouths and armpits, ears and nostrils. They pull, twist and squeeze their genitals.
They order the prisoners to face the walls with their legs spread apart to examine their anuses for concealed weapons, money and other contraband. They use sharp sticks to probe the prisoner's rectums. In a sense, the guards are more interested in prisoners' buttocks than in the search.
They make sexual remarks such as, "Look at this one, his buttocks are two mountains, it is difficult to mount him...and look at this one, his arsehole is sharped like a woman's vagina...This one has a soft arse like his mother..." After the brutal searches, the prisoners are beaten and kicked. These monstrous acts are repeated every morning. It is a humiliating and degrading.
Maina was arrested on June 2, 1982 by dictator Moi's regime for the crime of thought. He was imprisoned for six years with hard labor. Despite the brutal isolation and censorship, physical and psychological torture, Maina made friends with a few prison guards who supplied him writing material and smuggled everything g he wrote out of prison and took it to Mumbi, his wife.
The poems in this text were part of the written material smuggled out of prison. The themes of poems express the horrors of imprisonment, the brutality and viciousness of the Kenyan authoritarian regime, the intensification of the struggle for democracy.
Chris Farmer –
Without a doubt, this collection of poems, erotic, romantic, plaintive, and each one captivating and enrapturing, is meant to be read many times. The first time I picked up Black Coffee and Steamy Nights by Eudiah Kamonjo, I read through the whole book without stopping. But then I went back again and then again.
The gift of Eudiah Kamonjo is how she is able to create a sinewy and alluring filament of language that enters the reader through the eyes but slowly draws him into deep pools od sensuous meaning and delectation. I had thought of deconstructing one or two in this review, but I realize that to do that would be to shatter the luscious illusion created in them.
This is what great poetry should always do.
Lusi Mbira –
This has probably been My strongest coffee table purchase so far. Whenever visitors see the cover, they can’t help but pick up and read a page. And one page leads to more. Highly recommended for one’s self. Great for mood setting too.
mutcy1871 –
Black coffee and steamy nights is an epic read that one would pick up at any time. It expresses sexual freedom and courage .The book touches a lot on Intimacy in the African setting, not forgetting the amazing illustrations.
Its a bold expression of art
Ciku Kumani-Mwaniki –
I have spent decades avoiding poetry. It makes me think too much and for me, reading is a relaxation exercise – that was until I read Black Coffee and Steamy Nights. I bought the book because I love the author’s personality, I read it because I had to, for a project, but once I read the first two poems, I was hooked! Subtle, sexy, classy and honest. If all poetry was like this, I would become one. Good job Eudiah!
leonkaranimwams –
My review for this book is it is a very enriching and visually vivid story of an African woman very authentic ….she has seen love, loss, bliss, ecstasy, beauty and ugliness, heaven and hell, she has being to the past, in the present and has tasted the future..
Leon –
My review for this book is it is a very enriching and visually vivid story of an African woman very authentic ….she has seen love, loss, bliss, ecstasy, beauty and ugliness, heaven and hell, she has being to the past, in the present and has tasted the future..
Iziegbe Douglas Enogieru –
I will recommend this writer anytime any day reason being that she write lucid and eloquent English grammar. Her work of fiction combines both truth and imagery in articulating the dynamics of human love language and existence.
Stanley –
Interesting