To declare that this literary initiative, founded about a decade ago, has developed muscles greater than the numerous humble activities—like creative writing workshops, book chats, festivals, literary evenings, book drives, poetry competitions, etc—being carried out, since its inception, is legitimate, with the bold display of Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST). Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, a youth-led, non-profit literary organisation founded by Salim Yunusa, which promotes literature and literary activities especially in Northern Nigeria, has made a giant stride.
KAPFEST, aiming to celebrate poetry, art and culture, lasted 3 days. The first day, 11th July, 2024, kick-started with a twin concurrently-run poetry workshops. A team of Isma’il Bala and Dr. Ola Ifatimehin on the one hand, facilitated an English Poetry Workshop; while on the other hand, Prof. Ibrahim Malumfashi, Dr. Murtala Uba and Ibrahim Sodangi dealt with Hausa Poetry Workshop. There can’t be a better way to begin a poetry festival in the heart of the Northern Nigeria, Kano!
What closely followed were three more sessions, virtual though, which graced notable personalities to discuss varying topics. The puzzling poet, Umar Abubakar Sidi, talked to Habiba Malumfashi on his latest literary offering: The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus. While Umar Saleh Gwani hosted a panel to discuss “Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Creative Writing” with Shittu Fowora and Dr. Najeeb G. Abdulhamid. Hosted by Su’edde Agema with Sa’id Sa’id and Saddiq Dzukogi as panelists, another panel discussed Nigerian poets and poetry, both at home and abroad.
Friday, 12 July marked the second day. Being the first physical gathering of all participants, it began with all the rituals of opening ceremony—particularly, literary: opening remarks, goodwill messages, awards, poetry rendition, and music performances. Then the events proper.
No poetry event can be complete without the mention of Rumi, so the author of the poetry collection, Anguish and Vigilance of Things, hosted Nasiba Babale, Isma’il Bala and Rasaq Gbolahan to wander in the “Divan of Rumi.” There was a smooth switch to the northern Nigeria’s lingua franca, Hausa, to probe the written Hausa poetry in the session that followed. This panel, comprising Mukhtar Mudi Sipikin and Sulaiman Maibazazzagiya, was managed by Prof. Ibrahim Malumfashi.
Mudi Sipikin Poetry Slam (aptly named to honor the memories of the past Hausa poet) was the highlight of the day for many. Prior to KAPFEST, entries were made and participants of the slam selected. Each participant had three minutes during the first round to charge up the audience and importantly, to win over the panel of judges. Huh! Second round was a minute less than the first, however, more intense. Participants were trimmed. Third, and what should have been the final, round became unpredictable because most of the competitors didn’t seem ready to settle for less.
Different styles were employed throughout their renditions: storytelling, rap, singing; also, creating mishmash of Hausa, English and Pidgin. It was a thrilling and unforgettable experience. The third round was not the final because of a tie in the first position. The audience were delighted with an extra exciting ride—though voices from different angles were chanting for more ties after the first. A winner emerged! The day was wrapped with presentation of cash prizes to the top three winners.
Wole Soyinka turned 90 years on Saturday, 13 July 2024. Social media was awash with his mentions. The day coincided with the third and final day of KAPFEST 2024, the maiden edition. Celebrating KAPFEST when a literary icon is celebrated globally once more is a pleasant match. And it’s telling that within a wide corner outside the festival hall, you see the Nobel Laureate’s books displayed for sale. Book vendors were not the only ones there, visual art pieces from the Kabara Kreatives made the place more colourful and complete. There was also food stall.
“Does Anyone Care About Poetry?” It is a question Carl Terver posed to Sada Malumfashi, Abu Bakr Sadiq and Zaynab Bobi in the first event of the last day. A Hausa panel with Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, an educator and academic, and Hairat Abdullahi, a sensation in the Kannywood film industry mostly known for her songs, was guided by the founder of Open Arts World, Sada Malumfashi. It’s indeed an educative panel about Hausa songs and films. KAPFEST was inching towards the end; a last panel and a book chat took place before the open mic session and music performances, which had the likes of Hairat Abdullahi electrifying the audience.
Kano International Poetry Festival, conceived from the meeting of literary soulmates, Nasiba Babale and Salim Yunusa, glided into the sky in the evening of Saturday, like fireworks, signifying the merry end to the festival. It can only get better, so, more editions are expected.
With recent appointment of Nasiba Babale as the creative director of Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, a dedicated and fearless creative, consolidation and progress is surely the way. What I imagine, reliving the Mudi Sipikin Poetry Slam, is doing with spoken word poetry what Tunde Onakoya does with chess. Spoken words have general appeal, they’re magical and can be utilised to break barriers and engage society (imperfect as it is). More than engagement with society, such initiative can inspire, enlighten and spotlight underprivileged people (especially kids)—giving them platform and wings.
