“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” – Jonathan Gottschall.
On Monday 27 May 2019,a caravan of storytellers was on the wheels to Machakos, a land of many a hill to tell stories ,and to nurture young talents in the art of creative writing and oral narrative.
Thecaravan thereafter proceeds to Molo and Kakamega.
The collaborative initiative has drawn partners comprising of :Goethe Institute, Writers Guild Kenya, Ministry of Sports art and Culture,Nsemia publisher,KBC English Service,StoryMoja Africa,AllForBook and Write Academy.
The 27 May 2019, creative event drew 12 schools from Mwala sub-county, Machakos County.
After welcome remarks by the head teacher of the host school-St John’s Sec School-Kangii, Mr. John Masunga, the story-tellers engaged eager learners from participating schools in oral narratives: Poetry, music, tales, proverbs and tongue twisters.
The Machakos literary event culminated with creative writing exercises for students conducted by participating authors among them Vera Omwocha,Scholar Akinyi,Ann Vugutsa,Patrick Ngugi,Shi Marima and Rehema Zuberi.
Fifteen schools from Mwala Sub-county benefited from a cache of story-books donated by the aforementioned partners.
Among the Griots is a thin long lad, with a soft demeanor, and an occasional smile which plays on his sharp-pointed face.
He is a poet who has earned titles of talented and leader.He bears the name of a legend creature –The griffin, griffon, or gryphon.The mythical Griffin habited body of a lion in its rear, an eagle’s head with erect ears, a feathered breast, and the forelegs of an eagle, including claws.
The beast used to denote strength and military courage and leadership.Griffin’s story ,the Poet’s story is much the same of Griffin of the powerful beast.
At St John’s, Secondary School the bard sprang up to the stage with solid feet, clad in courage beseeming a griffin. He paused and scaned the faces of the audience. And silence reigned in the hall. Intelligent words tumbled from his mouth. Words bold, delivered with strength of gryphon.
The hearts of the 300 in the room were electrified as he confessed the love of mother with near tears and words well chosen sparkling like gems from the gravity of his heart.
He concluded his workmanship with his signature phrase ‘call me Griffin, call this poetry’The hall was afire as the audience chanted ‘call me griffin, call this poetry’.
Watch:A griffin inspires 300 students from Machakos County with power of oral narrative
In a display of immense and diverse talent by participating young creatives at St.John’s Sec School -Kangii,Mwala Sub-county,Machakos school County.A girl arrested the hearts of her audience with her vivid narration.
Watch:A school girl arrests the hearts of audience with a creative oral story
The initiative is aimed at nurturing young creative talent in secondary schools with an aim of promoting creative industry.
The initiative is Mceed by Wangari the storyteller.
Wangari,’a passionate performer, Wangari infuses her stories with song, dance, chants and other performance delicacies to create an intimate interaction with her audiences. She has vast experience sharing stories to a variety of platforms in Kenya. She has toured India, Iran, Germany, Sweden, Tanzania and Somaliland telling stories and conducting workshops’.
The caravan proceeds to Molo and Kakamega,with ambitious plans of touring more parts of Kenya.
Photo and Story|Tom Mwiraria-The Inklusive Press.
The Inklusive Press 
Wow!!! I’m really impressed and moved you out there to tell stories that inspire and change lives. Good work.
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Reblogged this on The Obi Poetry and commented:
Inspirational!!!
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