TOGO: Young aspiring west African poets meet in Lome to share their words and experiences, and express themselves on issues ranging from politics to sports, using poetry slam, a relatively new art form

Record ID: 735396

  • Title: TOGO: Young aspiring west African poets meet in Lome to share their words and experiences, and express themselves on issues ranging from politics to sports, using poetry slam, a relatively new art form
  • Date: 18th January 2013
  • Summary: CHILDREN CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 2nd February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Togo
  • Country: Togo
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVA1LNZIZAXK8F6R9W4KKL12ELC8
  • Story Text: It's not unusual to find gatherings such as this one, a packed hall in Togo's capital, Lome where hundreds of young people have come to watch aspiring poets battle it out on the microphone, in what is known as poetry slam.
    Poetry slam has been making waves in Lome for in recent years, as more and more young people take up the art form to express themselves.
    Poetry slam became a popular channel of expression in the 1980's with many activists in America, where it was originated.
    The rest of the world has since embraced this unique art form that combines poetry and rhythmic oral story telling.

    "Let me tell them that it's not just the white man who understands Moliere's language. I come from a small village, where I am told my forefathers were proud warriors," says slam poet, Julio Teko as he takes to the microphone.
    Usually performed in public places such as cafes, schools or in the open air, poetry slam in Togo has become a tool of expression and communication amongst young people.

    "I had always heard about Creme of Slam, but I had never experienced it, I had never seen it before, and for a first, this is just great. The audience was very supportive. They did not intimidate me, and did not treat me like I was green at this. They treated me like a star, it's beautiful and it encourages me. It allows me to give of myself more and go as far as I can with this," said Teko.
    Poetry slam has also entrenched itself across Africa attracting many because it incorporates African storytelling, which has been part of many cultures on the continent for centuries.
    Introduced by Efy Saboutey four years ago in Togo, poetry slam has also provided a platform for young people to talk about issues that are close to their hearts.
    Here Saboutey entertains the crowd through his slam, on the latest crisis in the country's football federation, where players and officials were locked in a dispute over unpaid bonuses and salaries, an issue that has gripped the nation, as it prepares for the African Cup of Nation tournament scheduled for this weekend.

    "Sheyi threatens them with AFCON, as the FTF (Togo Football Federation) plays around, 2013 belongs to us, Sheyi Adebayor," he said.
    During weekends, Saboutey and other young poets head to some of Lome's neighbourhoods, where they hold workshops with children, to encourage them to learn to express themselves through poetry slam.
    The workshops have proven to be a success amongst the children, who also do slam in their local languages.

    "What is interesting about slam is that there are slam poets who have realised that they could do slam in the local language. There are people who now practice poetry slam in Ewe, in Kabye, in Kotokoli. It has allowed many more together and made slam less elitist. People have come to realise that slam is something that they share, especially within a society that is more conservative, a society that is not used to express itself. Slam has allowed many people to express themselves," said slam poet Horus Donkovi, who is amongst funding member of the movement in Togo.
    After the workshops, children are treated to exclusive performers from some of their favourites slam poets.
    For those who have been following the trajectory poetry slam in Togo, some say that the art form has changed the way young people look at poetry, and has encouraged many to come forward and freely express themselves through this art form.

    "Slam in Togo is evolving, I really want to say this, because we realise now that in Togo, slam is no longer at the beginners level. We passed that stage. It is at a level where young Togolese slam poets are currently promoting slam to a level where they can now express themselves through slam, because it's like poetry that is sang, it's really a beautiful art, and young Togolese people have really taken to it," said Lome resident, Adia Oussey.
    Saboutey hopes poetry slam will soon spread to other parts of the country, as he and other slam poets prepare to hold more workshops throughout Togo, to promote the art form amongst young people.
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