The recently concluded All African Women Poetry Festival (AAWPFestival) 3.1, held at the iconic Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi, was a tremendous success.
This year, the festival proudly celebrated renowned Kenyan poet, playwright, and performer Sitawa Namwalie as one of its 2025 Literary Legends. The event attracted over 80 attendees and sparked thought-provoking conversations about the intersection of poetry, memory, and resistance.
The panel featured four distinguished voices: Nyangari Macharia (stage name Nyash), Winne Madoro (known as Kazu), Emma Ofosua (freestyle poet and founder of AAWPFestival), and the honoree Sitawa Namwalie. Together, they explored the festival's theme, Of Memory and Loss, with a particular focus on Memory as Resistance.
In a compelling discussion, the panellists reflected on memory and loss through three major lenses: the tragic femicide of Kenyan women, the erosion of native languages and cultural heritage, and the loss of humanity and empathy in modern society.
These reflections brought to light powerful recollections of what love once was and what it should be, the essence of communal living, and the deep-rooted connection between people and their environment. One of the most resonant takeaways was the idea that the greatest form of resistance to the erasure of past struggles and resilience is joy—a radical act of defiance in the face of loss and hardship.
The session closed with a stirring round of poetry from the panellists, who wove their voices together in a powerful expression of remembrance, protest, and celebration. The festival concluded with the presentation of an honorary recognition to Sitawa Namwalie, highlighting the festival’s dedication to honouring Africa’s literary giants.
Powered by Tuniq Africa LBG and made possible through the generous partnership of Creative Spills in Kenya, AAWPFestival 3.1 reinforced its mission to amplify the voices of African women poets and engage with critical socio-cultural themes through poetry and dialogue.
As we close this chapter, we invite poetry enthusiasts and literary lovers to look forward to AAWPFestival 3.2, where we will continue our exploration of Of Memory and Loss with a special tribute to Her Excellency Prof. Abena Busia.
The next edition promises another dynamic lineup of poets and thought leaders, delving deeper into the conversations around memory, identity, and cultural legacy.
Stay tuned for updates, and join us in this ongoing celebration of African poetry, storytelling, and resistance @aawpfestival on all platforms.
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