• Abdallah redefines narratives by weaving heritage with contemporary themes
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A vibrant shift is underway in the dynamic landscape of new Kenyan literary arts as emergent voices like Cynthia Abdallah redefine narratives by weaving traditional heritage with contemporary themes.
This literary renaissance not only challenges conventional storytelling but also paves the way for a diverse and authentic exploration of identity permutations and aesthetic changes.
Among the writers of this decade in our literature is one Cynthia Abdallah. She has steadily emerged as a voice of authenticity and passion, a writer who bridges the gap between our rich cultural heritage and the contemporary challenges of modern literature.
Her works include the poetry collection When Rivers Say Goodbye (2023) published by Womaword Literary in Zimbabwe, the short story collection The Musunzu Tree and Other Stories (2021) and the booklet Postcards from a Girl.
They offer a deep dive into the complexities and beauty of life. All her books are available from Nuria and Amazon. Through her works, Abdallah aims to inspire, educate and provoke thought, both within Kenya and on a global scale.
Her introduction to writing began in the corridors of her primary school, where she was known for crafting compelling compositions and participating enthusiastically in poetry competitions.
“I was always that girl who wrote compelling compositions and got very involved in poetry competitions,” she recalls. Her early exposure to diverse books from around the world ignited her passion for storytelling and laid the foundation for her writing career.
I first came across Cynthia while she pursued a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree in English and Literature here at Kenyatta University, a decision that further solidified her literary aspirations. Her quest for creative excellence led her to Brown University, where she received training from Forrest Gander, the 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner in poetry.
“Forrest especially has a great influence on how I craft my poems. From his classes, I learned to hone my skills and to be deliberate and precise with my words,” she says.
The authors Cynthia encountered during her formative years profoundly shaped her literary voice. Her love for reading began with Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins series, the only books accessible to her at the time. However, it was Chinua Achebe’s prose and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s storytelling prowess that truly inspired her.
“Achebe’s use of language and the rawness of his African experience really does magic for me,” she says. The influence of these literary giants is evident in her writing, which skillfully weaves cultural narratives with personal experiences.
The path to literary success has not been without challenges. Cynthia points out the lack of enthusiasm for reading in Kenya. “Very many Kenyans prefer to read political memoirs and motivational books,” she says.
To combat this, Cynthia has taken proactive steps to engage with her audience, including hosting readings in Zimbabwe and Kenya and sharing her work on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook in line with trends of Gen Z writers. She has also donated free copies of her books to strangers and schools, making her work more accessible to a broader audience.
Her writing style is characterised by its observational and descriptive nature. She frequently explores themes of nature and the pastoral, drawing inspiration from childhood memories spent in her grandparents’ village in Lugari constituency not far from Tongaren where I hail from.
“How I long for those bygone days,” she reminisced as she stared into the horizon. This longing for the simplicity and beauty of the past permeates her work, inviting readers to reflect on their connections to nature and heritage.
Collaboration has played a significant role in Cynthia’s unfolding scriptural sojourn. She worked with a former student and colleague on The Musunzu Tree and Other Stories, an experience that enriched her understanding of diverse writing styles and themes.
As a fellow member of the Creative Writer’s Association of Kenya (CWAK), Cynthia has connected with professors who have helped her integrate her work into the Kenyan education system.
Her advice to aspiring writers in Kenya is simple yet profound: “Keep on writing. Share your work and get feedback.” She emphasises the importance of writing for the love of it, rather than for financial gain, and stresses the value of seeking editorial guidance and reading extensively to refine one’s skills.
Like many writers, Cynthia encounters creative challenges, including the famous writer’s block. Her solution is to immerse herself in reading short stories and novellas, which fuel her creative engine. She also jots down ideas as they arise, ready to explore them when inspiration strikes.
As technology influences the literary world, she expresses concern about the impact of artificial intelligence on writing. “With Chat GPT and the like, the passion that comes with creating is lost,” she laments.
Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful for the future of literature in Kenya and globally. She advocates for an education system that emphasises reading from a young age, enabling children to develop a love for literature early on.
New modes of literariness play a crucial role in fostering a vibrant literary culture in Kenya and help expose to publics emergent talents like Cynthia. Her YouTube show, The Author’s Feet, aims to bring Kenyan authors to the forefront, similar to how literary festivals spotlight new voices.
However, she questions what happens after these festivals, emphasising the need for sustained engagement with literature. Her films, Inyumba Yu Mulogooli and Tales from the Pandemic,were nominated for the Kalasha Awards in 2022. She was also nominated for the best producer, Women in Film Awards, Kenya in March, 2023. https://cynthiaabdallah.com/biography/
Through her multi-talented art works, she invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and connect with the growing art heritage of our motherland. As she navigates the challenges and opportunities of the literary world, Abdallah is one of the new Kenyan writers encouraging us all to find our voices and share our unique stories with the world.