An open letter to Adong Judith, Director of Ga-AD!

Dear Adong, 

How did you weave the script of my 40th birthday wish?  How did you know that after a life of 39 years of silence,  I was choking with unspoken truths?

Adong Judith (right) and I  Courtesy photo

  You shared my freedom when you took my poetry and created the most powerful,  abundant and meaningful production I've ever been a part of.

Rehema Nanfuka, courtesy photo

Do you know that people are calling us co-writers?  Imagine!  Me a co-writer of Ga-AD. They make it seem like I contributed to half the ideas. Adong,  the cast you selected for this script have interpreted this message in such a magnificent way that almost seems surreal. How did you know that Rehema Nanfuka and Patrick Ssenjovu were the perfect fit? 

Patrick Sseenjovu  Courtesy photo

And the entire cast dominated the stage and lifted us to unimaginable heights.
I don't know what to say about Andrew Ssebaggala,  Grace Ibanda,  Michael Wawuyo and the geniuses that comprise the technical crew and leadership?

The cast 

Dear Adong, what I saw on stage in the production of Ga-AD,  is a testimony that words have the capacity to grow bigger than our dreams.
It's hard to believe that tonight 7th August is the final production at 7:00pm and that it's only
 20, 000/-?
I'll see you soon for that dinner that I promised.

And we're honoured to know you'll be part of our #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival from 24th to 26th August at Maria's Place in Ntinda near Victory City Church.

 
Apwoyo.
Wanyala naabi

Nambozo

My Silenced Voice of 39 years.

Has your voice ever stopped mid-flight for 39 years? Mine has. For 39 years,  my voice has been thrown back at me,  like a raw egg before it's hatched,  raw and messy.

On arrival at Hargeysa on 23rd July,  I lost my voice due to heavy air-conditioning and cold nights in transition. My voice is back on the eve of my 40th birthday which is also the eve of my return to Kampala.  Having my voice back is a delectable birthday gift.

Speaking about poetry and leadership at the Hargeysa International Book Fair

Adong Judith,  playwright,  Director and Fulbright scholar,  approached me a few years ago to write a play. This play,  Ga-AD,  which premiered on 30th July,  also the eve of my 40th birthday. Adong's production company,  Silent Voices,  with an excellent cast and crew will give an artistic treat of a rare kind at the Uganda National Theater throughout the first week of August. 

The play Ga-Ad is another birthday gift because it reflects the layers of the 39 years of silence that I have lived through institutions,  friends and self-pity.

Has your voice ever stopped mid-flight for 39 years?  Mine has. I also lost my voice on arrival at Hargeysa due to heavy air-conditioning and cold nights in transition. My voice is back now on the eve of my 40th birthday.


Before arrival in Somaliland,  like many people,  I used to believe that women who wear the hijab and cover themselves are oppressed. And yet as I saw women laughing and chatting, I envied the ease with which they adorned themselves with fine jewellery that glittered like their smiles and with fine linen that bore stories of elegance.

I truly felt like I was the oppressed one.  A fifteen minute walk outside my house brings insults just because I'm  a woman. I seek alternative ways to walk but each time I try,  my voice is silenced. They don't want me to walk,  to exercise or to seek alternatives. It's easier if I'm kept behind the gate. 

Them.

I lost my voice on arrival at Hargeysa due to heavy air-conditioning and cold nights in transition. My voice is now back.

The 39 years are over. 

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva