Almajiri: A New African Poetry

This collection of poems explores the voices of Almajiri, the street beggar-poet, among the Hausa/Fulani and the Yoruba in Nigeria. It addresses contemporary local and global issues and expresses the challenges within Nigeria’s socio-economic world, its resources, and culture. Urgent economic and development issues other Africans in the Diaspora face are also explored. As a book of performance poetry, Almajiri includes many refrains in Hausa and Yoruba languages. It emphasizes the simplicity of language in creativity and takes strength from the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba oral traditions. By engaging African readers, listeners, and watchers who are familiar with images, proverbs, and metaphors from common cultures, Almajiri hopes to teach Hausa and Yoruba in songs and in performance to young and adult Africans in the Diaspora.