No longer a voice in the Wilderness

AWDF in association with our partners Akina Mama wa Afrika are currently convening the 2nd African Feminist Forum in Uganda. At the opening ceremony this morning Dr Susan Kiguli, a lecturer at the Institute of Languages, University of Makarere shared a powerful poem which she wrote specifically for this occasion.

NO LONGER A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

together a vision of the times
spreading revolution
creating change

No longer a voice alone
a voice in the wilderness
thunder rumbling in a distance
a mysterious noise hidden in dark clouds
wrecking the calm.
No longer a voice alone
A voice without family
Without audience
Without country

together a vision of the times
spreading revolution
creating change

We have swallowed the might of the sky
to speak language yet unspoken
unheard
to rip way the edges of time
to say yesterday, now, tomorrow
to look into the clouds of time
and speak courage together,
women unafraid
to build a dwelling of voices
assembling as song, will , action.

together a vision of the times
spreading revolution
creating change

We reach back into the memory of time
marching single file with Nyabingi
Irene Druscilla Namaganda, Pumla Kisosonkole, Rebecca Mulira.
Rhoda Kalema, Joyce Mpanga, Sarah Ntiro
and the multitudes of women
named and nameless
holding the yellow crystal of the
noon day sun
letting it bathe us in the
magic of saying
NO, NO, NO
to dictums we do not understand
standing up to the governor
to say freedom back
We want our right to choose
We need our families intact
We are planting the seed of revolution
of speech
of marching to tangible change
of breaking ranks
using language familiar and unfamiliar
to occupy citadels whose doors
have been securely locked.
we are marching revolution
we are marching change

together a vision of the times
spreading revolution
creating change

We are scattering the sunlight
rising with dawn
wearing the resplendent deep blue
of the sky
holding out with Miria Matembe, Sylvia Tamale, Akina Mama wa Afrika,
Fida Uganda and the whole company of women
Lifting the flame of fearlessness
Burying the ghosts of dictators
With their insane decrees
“Single women must marry immediately
and don’t you ever name your bodies in public
it is pure indecency
nurse your babies and dreams,
But it is in your interest not
to provoke us.”

We refuse you to take
more than we are able to supply
together a vision of the times
spreading revolution
creating change


My question to you here is 'Will you continue to be a voice in the wilderness?'

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications