Roi Kwabena (b. 1956)

Biographical Materials

"Roi Kwabena was born in Trinidad in 1956 and came to Britain in 1985 after political and cultural activity in his home country. As a poet, musician, storyteller, historian and publisher, Roi describes himself as a "cultural activist". He has performed with Hugh Masekela, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Opai Adisa Palmer among others.

He has lectured, performed and conducted workshops in the Caribbean, Europe and Africa in universities, schools, libraries and other venues. His published work includes collections of poems and spoken word and music CDs in a distinctive style of dialogue, drama and rhythm." — bio on www.birmingham.gov.uk

Works

• Selected Publications
• A Job for the Hangman
• Letter from Sea Lots
• Obeah Man
• No Hearts
• Forgive Us Our Debts
• Courting new appeals
• so pure
• recess
• 1. orifice of cocker
• 2. east haverfordwest
• 3. sandale cul de sac
• 4. sauced worcester
• 5. dissimilar abode agus
• 6. mugran based
• 7. aberystwyth

Interviews and Critical Commentary

• Eric Doumerc (interviewer)
• Stewart Brown, Introduction to "A Job for the Hangman"
• An Introduction to Whether Or Not

Related Web Resources

• Review by Lennox Raphael
• Roi Kwabena &mdash Birmingham's Poet Laureate 2001-2002 (City of Birmingham official site)
• Kwabena's personal site

Last modified 3 June 2005