MORAA GITAA (Kenya)

By IM Soqaga

One of the amazing things about African literature is how its women show indispensable commitment in making sure that its existence remains apposite.  In this wise, Moraa Gitaa a remarkable lady from Kenya, has produced fine and imperative piece of literature which are fascinating.  Grippingly, her works are rather marvellous and they encompass prodigious artistic literature.  An award winning novelist, Gitaa’s exhilarating role in African literature is actually dazzlingly inspiring.

One can reminisce at how few bizarre individuals expressed doubts about perpetual existence of African literature especially when its own pioneers are getting old and others departing this world.  This was a near-sighted conclusion about African literary contribution in the future especially in regard with female African writing, because post-independent Africa has witnessed many sprouting vivacious African female writers whose exquisite works diffuse globally.  It should be reckoned that in the past, early female literary pioneers of African literature like Miriam Tlali, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Ama Ata Aidoo etc illustrated their sheer passion for literature with profound zeal. 

Like in many countries of the world especially in the West, literature produced by these catalysts of African writing cannot be shunned.  To recall they wrote during colonial encroachment, at the time when it was difficult for an African person to be recognised as a writer.  Yet their works flourished and succeeded, and today their works are enjoyed and admired by oodles number of people in the world.

Currently, there are a number of female African writers who demonstrate explicitly that the new generation of African writing are not shiftless but in contrast, are absolutely brisk.  It is splendid to read books produced by them.  In fact, Moraa Gitaa enchanting literary works are very prodigious; glaringly her literary valour provides a vivid testimony that she is phenomenal.  From the country of her origin Kenya, Africa can count outstanding writers whose works transcend the continental borders.  Africa’s revered literary giants like Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Grace Ogot, Meja Mwangi to name but few emanate from Kenya.  Therefore, it is quite noteworthy to see the writer of the calibre of Gitaa continues to hypnotize the world in this wise.

Moraa Gitaa’s spellbinding works of literature, basically involve issues that are earnestly grave and pertinent in society.  Hence she adumbrates what the early pioneer of women African literature were writing about during colonialism in Africa.  Free and independent Africa require such writers who are literary imaginative and who are able to portray African live graphically.  Among other things, her writing focused on societal ills like HIV, vulnerability, the marginalized, achievement of social justice, inclusion, equity and human dignity.  

Gitaa’s impressive contribution in African literature deserves comprehensive adulation.  Importantly, Africa in the twenty first century needs writers who will write daringly about it.  Of course, it will be absurd for Africa to anticipate someone outside Africa to write about it especially when Africa is a free and independent continent. 

One famous novel by Moraa Gitaa “Crucible for Silver and Furnace for Gold” has been described by reviewers as a re-reading and re-writing of gender in times of HIV.

Patently and significantly, Gitaa like many other female writers of Africa, such as Grace Ogot, Ama Ata Aidoo, Buchi Emecheta, Miriam Tlali, Flora Nwapa, Adichie Chimamanda, Noviolet Bulawayo, Yvonne Vera, Nnedi Okorafor, Okwiri Odour, Maaza Mengiste, Charmaine Kolwane, Jah Rose Nthabiseng, Matshidiso Taleng etc. will indelible remain sensational in advocating and expressing breathtaking African literature.  Moraa Gitaa is a member of PEN International, the world association of writers.

LITERARY WORKS:

1.) Hila – Storymoja Publishers, 2015

2.) The Shark Attack – Moran Publishers, 2014

3.) The Con Artist – Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), 2014

4.) Shifting Sands – Nsemia Publishers, 2012

5.) Crucible for Silver & Furnace for Gold – Nsemia Publishers, 2008

AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS:

1.) 2017 apexart New York City (NYC) Fellow

2.) 2016 Infinity Industrial Park Essay Contest winner on ‘The Need for Modern Industrial Parks in Kenya to Boost National Productivity’

3) 2014 Burt Award for African Young Adult Literature for Young Adult novella ‘The Shark Attack’

4) 2010 – Penguin Prize for African Writing, top 5 Short-listed out of approximately 300 global entries

5) 2008 – National Book Development Council of Kenya (NBDCK) Annual Book Week Literary Awards, 1st Prize Adult Fiction winner for ’Shifting Sands’