Wordsmiths return: Mzuni literature indaba begins today

The Second International Conference on Malawian Literature, organised by Mzuzu University (Mzuni), begins in Mzuzu today.

It is a three-day gathering for literary gurus to share perspectives.

Unlike the first conference held in 2012, the second one, to be held under the theme ‘Orature and its place in Malawian Literature’ pulls together overseas-based and local scholars as well as up-and-coming and veteran scholars, the youth and the old, poets and writers. The setting is Mzuni Hall.

According to the itinerary On the Arts has seen, professor of African

Studies at Ohio State University Lupenga Mphande will set the ball rolling with a keynote address before leaving the stage to Birkbeck College’s Dr Mpalive Msiska who will be facilitating the pre-conference workshop.

Mzuni head of department for languages and literature Joshua Kumwenda said during the pre-conference seasoned academics will make presentations on how to write articles for international and local journals.

He said this will be done because some of the articles at the conference will be selected for publication in a Journal of Southern Africa (JSAS).

After the pre-conference, a Germany national Michael Kretzer who lectures literature at the University of Justus Liebig in Giessen and Dr Brilliant Mhlanga, a Zimbabwean lecturer at the University of Westminister will make their presentations.

These will leave the stage for UK-based Malawian Chisomo Kalinga, a lecturer at Kings College of the University of London who will make a presentation on ‘Akuluakulu ndi M’dambo Mozimila Moto: The Depiction of the Elderly in HIV and Aids Short Stories 1994-2000.’

On the local front, University of Malawi has representatives in the names of Dr Levi Zeleza Manda who will delve into the narrative techniques, structure and characterisation in Tonga folktales; literature lecturer Dr Syned Mthatiwa will analyse Lucius Banda’s songs in terms of democracy, governance and power; Dr Emmanuel Ngwira will be searching for new metaphors in contemporary vernacular whereas his colleague Dr Damazio Mfune-Mwanjakwa will be analysing Malawian traditional dances of Muwuso and Utche.

Mzuni’s Albert Mtungambela Harawa will pay tribute to Tito Banda who died in March with a presentation based on Banda’s Old Nyaviyuyi in Performance whereas his colleague Kumwenda will delve into the subject and problems of theorising in oral literature.

As per recommendations from the last conference, organisers have brought in the youth such as a master’s student at Chancellor College Wesley Macheso; writers Nicholas Maganga Msowoya, Shadreck Chikoti and Pius Nyondo; poets Qabaniso Malewezi and Jahebic Banda.

Literary columnist Alfred Msadala will also make a debut to the conference with a presentation Through Song We Are Healed.

Other presenters include Professor Lisa Gilman, Jonathan Mbuna, Chisomo Kalinga, Elvin Kawale and Innocent Ngulube.

However, celebrated poet and scholar Jack Mapanje, who delivered a keynote address during the first conference, will miss the gathering.

According to organisers, Mapanje will be representing Malawi at another conference in West Africa.