As of today the 21 September, the United Nations´ International Day of Peace; I present to you my new poetry collection untitled simply as Amani which means Peace in Swahili. Kiswahili or Swahili is spoken by over 90 million people in East and Central Africa. It is the official language in Tanzania and Kenya, and is also used in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, D.R.Congo, Comoros island and in some extent in Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, or South-Africa. Most speakers of Kiswahili are native speakers of other African languages and use Kiswahili as a lingua franca.
Through my journey around these countries, I have met communities that have always lived by daily acknowledging that human beings have a common origin. They also lived by maintaining spider web of relationships with other human beings, their ancestors, and other creatures. For example, they always regarded any forest as Chemist, this called for the respect of the integrity of environment. No one exploited the resources of the earth for personal gratification. All lived in unity for the sake of the common good. By maintaining the harmony of the spider web of relationships and interconnectivity was the basis for the promotion of peace. It is imperative to remind us of these values so that we can bring peace where it has been mostly removed brutally.
What others say about Amani?
“Amani” means peace in Swahili. And these poems in this new collection by Boneza intend to do simply that. From the poem “Amani, my peace”: “Amani is calm like the moon.” The poems, too, are calming.
The poems presented are a mixture of free verse and rhyme. It’s a good complement of writing styles.
From the poem “Ubuntu”: “I wonder what can bring us the sense of unity / I wonder how consciousness can grow in our heart,”. Unity and heart seem to be the overall theme to the book. The flow is very soothing. Poem after poem will sweep you along this journey with Boneza.
Reading this poetry book is like taking a trip in and through the heart of Africa. There is so much to reflect upon, much to be changed, much to keep fighting for.
https://pegasusliterary.com/bookreviewdetails.php?bid=465&bname=Amani%20By%20Rais%20Neza%20Boneza
Review by LB Sedlacek
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Peaceful, powerful and provocative poetry from a man whose lyrics drip with passion, love, honesty and harmony. Rais takes you on a journey of discovery to a safe space of reflection, reigniting your senses, opening up your eyes and ears to feel the sound of joy of pain of beauty of you and us. Flowertry in motion. Highly recommended.
Prof Dr Andy Hickson, Dean Faculty of Arts and Communication at HELP University
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It is a blend of both profound, beautiful, dark poetry. But always appealing to peace,love and hope of his world and ours
Beatrice Lamwaka, writer (Uganda)
More reviews and informations coming soon! Get in touch with me if you don´t want to miss your first and exclusive signed copy.
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