A Witness Bird By Timi Rowland Kpakiama

“Timi Kpakiama's pen has produced a remarkable collection of poems which crystallises varied moments of experience, ranging from nostalgia and exuberance to pain and distress. As a historian coming to poetry and creative expression, Kpakiama is often concerned with 'origins' with a 'harking back', and with connections in his poetry. His inspiration ranges the landscape of memory from which individual flashes are captured in words. He is a true nationalist who carries in him legacies of the cultures of Benue, Bauchi, Plateau and Rivers States of Nigeria. His poetry draws on complex myths and folklore at the same time, it turns simple experiences like 'Going for firewood' and ‘Mango plucking' into sensuous poetic journeys.”

— Professor Kanchana Ugbabe

Department of English, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

Author’s Bio:

Timi Rowland Kpakiama was born in Benue State, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor's degree in History and International Studies from the University of Jos, and a Masters degree in History from the University of Ibadan. At present, Kpakiama is a doctoral candidate in the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. His poetry draws its influences from Ijaw oral tradition, history, and the works of Gabriel Okara, J.P. Clark, Okot P'Bitek and Mazisi Kunene. His publications include Salute to Our Mangrove Giants and Other Poems (Kraft Books, 2008), Song of Benasoro (Parresia Publishers, 2013) and Song of Soldier & Song of Prisoner (Winepress Publishing, 2018).