User:Sidang' Adipo/sandbox

Adipo Sidang' (born 1983 in Siaya, Nyanza region) is a Kenyan poet, playwright, actor, song writer and the author of “Parliament of Owls” poetry book which features different themes, with the state of African politics and affairs as the over-arching theme. The book was published in 2016 by Contact Zones Series, an imprint of Goethe Institut, Nairobi and Native Intelligence Publishers, Nairobi.

Sidang’ is a Pan-Africanist and an exponent of black consciousness, pluralism and the need for Africans to archive their culture through literature and performative arts. Besides writing in English, Sidang’ also writes in Dholuo and has written a number of poems in Dholuo. He has written songs among others “Bunge la Bunde” (Parliament of Owls), co-written with Zakah of Ukoo Flani Mau Mau hip-hop outfit and performed by the hip-hop artist.

Sidang’, a former university teacher of Philosophy, is a proponent of employing new media in archiving poetry performance. Under his record label Sidang’ Studios Limited, he has performed a number of poems from his book, the most popular being Parliament of Owls, Love is a Ring and These Works of Mine. Some of the performances are available on his YouTube channel.

Sidang’ currently runs AfroGovernance Initiative, a civic engagement and education platform targeting the youth to actively involve them in the quest for democracy and good governance in Kenya. AfroGovernance Initiative uses literature, art, music and digital media to educate the youth on the issues of democracy and good governance. Besides, he also runs Agora Theatre Group which plays a critical role in creating civic awareness through theatre. Agora Theatre performed an adaptation of the title poem “Parliament of Owls” in the run-up to the 2017 General Elections in Kenya.

Parliament of Owls is available in bookstores in Nairobi (Prestige Bookshop & University of Nairobi Bookstore) as well as on Amazon.com.

Influences: Okot p’Bitek, Taban lo Liyong, Malcolm X, Aimé Césaire, Kwasi Wiredu, Walter Rodney, Steve Biko, Thomas Sankara, J.M. Kariuki, Oginga Odinga, Odera Oruka, Friedrich Nietzsche and Jean Paul Sartre.

References:

Parliament of Owls (2016), Contact Zones Series, Nairobi. https://www.amazon.com/Parliament-Owls-Contact-Zones-1/dp/9966095586

Parliament of Owls (2016), Contact Zones Series, Nairobi. https://www.books.magunga.com/store/parliament-of-owls-by-adipo-sidang/

Nation on Saturday: Adipo Sidang: The Literary Monk Inspired by Luo Folklore: http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/weekend/The-literary-monk-inspired-by-Luo-folklore/1220-3994152-ffdc3e/index.html

Eve Woman, Saturday Standard: A Poetic Man - Adipo Sidang’: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2001246684/a-poetic-man-adipo-sidang

Love is a Ring, Adipo Sidang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bzv3iPci1o

MA Philosophy Thesis: Knowledge and Epistemic Justification: http://www.researchkenya.or.ke/thesis/21730/knowledge-and-epistemic-justification-:-an-appraisal-of-robert-nozicks-truth-tracking-theory