Yari Yari Ntoaso: Continuing the Dialogue – An International Conference on Literature by Women of African Ancestry
The Organization of
Women Writers of Africa (OWWA) and New
York USA ,
Europe, and the Caribbean in dialogue with each other in Accra , Ghana
More than a dozen emerging and established Ghanaian writers and
scholars, including Ama Ata Aidoo, Amma Darko, Ruby Goka, Mamle Kabu, Esi Sutherland-Addy
and Margaret Busby will speak about their work on topics
ranging from identity, to the craft of writing, to literary activism. These
authors will be joined by other international writers such as: Angela Davis (USA ),
Tess Onwueme (Nigeria ),
Natalia Molebatsi (South Africa ),
Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro (Puerto Rico), Sapphire (USA ),
Veronique Tadjo (Côte d’Ivoire ),
Evelyne Trouillot (Haiti
Yari Yari Ntoaso will
consist of panels, readings, performances, and workshops, and will be devoted
to the study, evaluation, and celebration of the creativity and diversity of
women writers of African descent. Yari means “the future” in the Kuranko
language of Sierra Leone Ghana
The conference program includes an entire
panel devoted to Ghanaian literature, a Saturday morning “storytime” for
children, and workshops for adult and youth. All events are free and open to
the public, and all Ghanaians interested in literature – whether as readers or
as writers, both youth and adults – are encouraged to attend. Register at http://owwainc.org/gettingthere.html.
Most events will be held at the lovely facilities of the Ghana College of
Physicians and Surgeons (No. 54
Independence Avenue Accra
Participants have received national and
international awards from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, England;
Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, the USA, and other countries. They have been poet
laureates and are provocative bloggers. They teach at – and have received degrees
from – universities in Ghana
Why now?
So far, the 21st century has witnessed the
creation or reestablishment of women’s and writers’ organizations throughout Africa and its diaspora. Often these organizations both
support and are staffed by emerging writers or those whose writing has yet to
receive international recognition. Yari Yari Ntoaso marks this moment and
provides an opportunity for these organizations, as well as individual writers
and scholars, to share information and to build international networks.
About The Organizers
Founded in 1991 by African-American poet,
performing artist, and activist Jayne Cortez and Ghanaian writer and scholar Ama Ata Aidoo,
the Organization of Women Writers of Africa, Inc. (OWWA) establishes
connections between professional African women writers around the world. OWWA
is a nonprofit literary organization concerned with the development and
advancement of the literature of women writers from Africa
and its Diaspora. OWWA is also a non-governmental organization associated with
the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI).
The Institute of African American Affairs
(IAAA) at New York University was founded in 1969 to research, document,
and celebrate the cultural and intellectual production of Africa
and its diaspora in the Atlantic world and beyond. IAAA is committed to the
study of Blacks in modernity through concentrations in Pan-Africanism and Black
Urban Studies.
Mbaasem (“women’s words, women’s affairs”
in Akan) is a foundation created by Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo to
specifically support African women writers and their works through addressing
problems that all Ghanaian and African – but especially women – writers have to
struggle with, including the absence of appreciation of the essential role
creative writing and other arts play in national development, and women
writers’ diffidence in showcasing the results of their creative efforts.
The Fundación Mujeres por África is a
private organization. It was founded with the intention of becoming an
exemplary body in Spain and
internationally with its commitment to sustainable economic and social
development, human rights, peace, justice and dignity for people and especially
for women and girls in Africa .
Jayne Cortez was the driving force behind
the first two Yari Yari conferences. Yari Yari: Black Women Writers and the Future
(1997) and Yari Yari Pamberi: Black Women
Writers & Globalization (2004)
were the largest events of their kind, putting hundreds of women writers and
scholars of African descent in dialogue with thousands of people, and resulting
in two award-winning documentaries.
In late December 2012, amidst organizing
this third conference, Cortez passed away. The conference organizers are
presenting Yari Yari Ntoaso in her honor. Described by The New York Times as “one of the central figures
of the Black Arts Movement,” Cortez often performed with her band The
Firespitters, was identified as a jazz poet, and was honored with the American
Book Award and many other accolades.
CONTACTS:
Kinna Likimani, Mbaasem Foundation
klikimani@gmail.com
(233) 027 742 6045
Rosamond S. King, Organization of Women Writers of Africa
OWWAYariYari@gmail.com
718-219-3473
jp2050@nyu.edu
212-998-2981
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