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Kwani? (Swahili for "So what?") is a Kenyan literary journal that was founded in 2003 by Binyavanga Wainaina. There are six volumes to Kwani? each containing, short stories, essays, cartoons, poems and advertisements. Over 30 different new writers have been published in the existing six volumes.

History

Kwani? was born due to the aggravation of Kenyan writers who found it difficult to get anything published. An e-mail was sent out among the writers themselves discussing this dilemma. After friends forwarded the e-mail to other friends, it finally reached Wanjiru Kinyanjui, who was born in Kenya in 1958 and is a writer, radio journalist, poet, and filmmaker. Kinyanjui took on the role as the moderator of the e-mail having agreed that some sort of action must take place. After positive feedback Kinyanjui decided to hold a meeting at a cafe which was located on the corner of Ronald Ngala Street and Moi Avenue in Nairobi, which is now Bank of Africa.

It was at Irene Wanjiru’s home that the idea of a literary journal was formed, but it was Binyavanga Wainaina who took the final steps. Wainaina informed the Ford Foundation of the journal, since they had a similar vision of encouraging Kenyan writers at the time. In January of 2003, Kwani Trust was formed in order to resolve issues with publishing. Eight months later, Kwani? was born. Tom Maliti, a correspondent with the Associated Press, named the literary journal and Wainaina was its first editor.

Kwani? Editions

Kwani? 01(2003) is based upon the notion of a new generation of creative, post-independence Kenyans and their literary material. It was edited by Binyavanga Wainaina.

Kwani? 02 (2004) focuses upon Kenyan and African identity post-millennium and how it is dealt with through literature and art. It was once again edited by Binyavanga Wainaina, and also Ebba Kalondo.

Kwani? 03 (2005) uses the 1970s as a theme and was edited by Binyavanga Wainaina and Billy Kahora.

Kwani? 04 (2007) focuses on the conflicts present in Kenyan society, between the contemporary and the conventional, changes in the economy and its effect on the individual person, and strict social constructs defied by taboo subjects, such as, homosexual sex. The edition explores the perspectives of those who are the middle ground between the general public and the radical. It was edited by Binyavanga Wainaina and Billy Kahora. The wide spectrum of topics represented in this edition caused Bobastles Nondi of ArtMatters to remark that it, "comes off as an emergency examination; an alternative paper set in a hurry—without much keenness—to be used only in the event that the real well thought-out exam is either leaked or lost." Nondi questions the use of some of the provocative artwork in the journal along with the repeated use of curse words by the editors.

Kwani? 05 Part 01: Maps and Journeys (2008) centers on Kenya during and after the violent 2007 Kenyan elections. This journal was edited by Billy Kahora. It is in two parts, of which the second was published in the same year.

Kwani? 05 Part 02: Revelation and Conversation (2008) is a twin edition to Kwani? 05 Part 01 Maps and Journeys and focuses on the same themes. It also explores Ugandan history and identity. The edition was also edited by Billy Kahora.

Kwani? 05 Part 01 and Part 02 have received much attention for their focus on the violence during the 2007 Kenyan elections and their aftermath, the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis. Parselelo Kantai of The East African, whose story was published in Kwani? 1, believes Kwani? 05 is most different from the other editions of Kawnim saying that it is, “[…] a radical departure from earlier issues of the journal that relied heavily on the literature of the Kenyan middle-class — comfortable, personal and more than a little self-involved.” He also mentioned that this particular Kwani? would have a lasting impression upon Kenya, saying, “For me, the real value of these Kwanis will be better understood in later years.”

Kwani? 06 (2010) includes Kenyan and African writers who were born after September 1978. It is an anthology of short fiction and poetry and was edited by Billy Kahora. Parselelo Kantai, in The Africa Report, commented that Kwani? 6 is, "[...] a panoply of new, talented voices less involved in that particular moment. Instead, the 30-odd short stories, accompanied by poems and comic strips, can be collectively regarded as the cacophonous howl of new Kenyan self-expression." Kantai notes the significance of the required birthdate for authors in Kwani? 6, an attempt to define the identity of the Kenyan nation after Daniel arap Moi's coming to power.

Authors' Recognition and Reception

Many writers who have had their work published in Kwani? have received recognition for their work. Some of these writers include: Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor author of “Weight of Whispers” won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2003.

“Comrade Lemma & The Black Jerusalem Boys Band” by Parselelo Kantai was a Caine Prize for African Writing runner-up in 2004.

Uwem Akpan’s “An Xmas Feast” was published in The New Yorker magazine.

Andia Kisia, author of “1982” was given a fellowship at the Royal Court Theatre in London.


Rasna Warah "What My Dying Mother Taught Me About Living" was published in a local Kenyan newspaper.

However, along with praise there will be negative reviews on publications and many have said that the Kwani? publication is very widespread and with this their objectivity goes out the window. In an article by Bobastles Nondi titled "Kwani?4 Meanders Into The Desert Sand Of The Dead Habit" said the author's works leave a lot to the imagination, for example, "According to Wainaina, Kenyans, “[...] do not want to challenge a government to be better,” but instead, want, “to be comfortable with the status quo,” and that that will send Kenyans, “straight back to 1969. To 1988.” But Wainaina does not explain what happened in 1969 or 1988." The holes in the stories leave readers wanting more complete pieces.

Kwani Trust

Kwani Trust is a Kenyan based literary network that was established in 2003. It is dedicated to cultivating creative writing of caliber and devoted to the growth of the creative industry through the publishing and distribution of contemporary African writing. Kwani Trust offers training opportunities, assembles literary events and establishes and maintains worldwide literary networks. Their vision is to compose and build a society that uses its society to see itself more coherently. Kwani Trust is also the parent organization for the publisher, Kwani?

Awards

The Kwani Trust was awarded a Prince Claus Award and EUR 25,000 in 2010 by the Prince Claus Foundation.. The award is given every year to recognize outstanding achievements in the field of Culture and Development.

Kwani Trust Partners

Chinua Achebe Center

Kwani is affiliated with Chinua Achebe Center through Binyavanga Wainaina, who is a Bard Fellow and Director at the Chinua Achebe Centre for African Literature and Languages at Bard College. Wainaina shared his vision and stated, “I run the Chinua Achebe Center at Bard College, where I am going to start an online master's programme for creative writers. I love creating opportunity for new talent.”

Chimurenga/Pilgrimages

Kwani has collaborated with Chimurenga on their mission to send out, “14 writers in 13 African cities and one South American, recording how the 2010 FIFA World Cup plays out in those places,” in a project called, Pilgrimages. Binyavanga Wainaina and Billy Kahora have also participated in Pilgrimages.

Picha Mtaani

Kwani has worked closely with Boniface Mwangi, the founder of Picha Mtaani, (Swahili for “Photography in the Neighbourhood”), by sponsoring Mwangi's project “Kenya Burning.” Billy Kahora, the managing editor of Kwani?, also worked on the Picha Mtaani/Kwani book project and has edited the collection "Kenya Burning."

See Also

2007–2008 Kenyan crisis

Binyavanga Wainaina

Ford Foundation

Prince Claus Award
List of literary magazines
Kenya

External Links

An Xmas Feast in The New Yorker
Caine Prize Homepage
Kwani?
Chicken Bones: A Journal
Africa Rising
The Royal Court Theatre Homepage