Babishai Niwe ( BN ) Poetry Foundation is a poetry
foundation that coordinates annual poetry competitions
for African poets. It was started by Beverley Nambozo in
2008 as a prize for Ugandan women. But in 2014, it
opened its doors to men and the entire Africa
continent. The first Beverley Nambozo Poetry Award was
held in 2009.



However, below are the words of the moderator/organiser
of BN Poetry award on the shortlisted poets.


”The #Babishai2018 shortlist is like the tip of molten lava.
It’s an eruption of the usual poetry; an assortment of
some of the finest poetry. What a powerful selection! The
judges, Alfred Msadala, Rehema Nanfuka and Remi Raj,
have had one of the most difficult and yet compelling
tasks, to emerge with this list.


We congratulate each of the brilliant poets on this list.
Our poetry festival is in the first week of August: We’ll be
celebrating our winner from there. Below is Prof Remi Raj,
who will also be present at the festival and award the
#Babishai2018 winner.”



BN – BABISHAI2018 SHORTLIST

1. 38 photographs of depression
By Marial Awendit (South Sudan)


2. BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS BEING SWALLOWED UP
BY MEMORY
(for Aunty Ebun)
By Boluwatife Afolabi (Nigeria)


3. MY LETTER TO YOU
By Grace Sharra (Malawi)


4. HYMNS OF A BROKEN SYMPHONY
By George Gumikiriza (Uganda)

5. In my brother I see:
by Mhraf Worku (Ethiopia)

6. ON SONS WHO HATE THEIR FATHERS
By Stephen Ogunfoworin (Nigeria)


7. Stones
By Adedayo Adeyemi Agarau (Nigeria)


8. Calypso’s Song (For men who try to love me while I’m
broken)
By Tariro Ndoro (Zimbabwe)


9. Unholy Sermon Notes
By Yakeeb (Nigeria)

10. the music man thinks about Dapchi
by Salawu Olajide (Nigeria)


11. Like Torn Kites In A Hurricane
by Rex Omonla (Nigeria)



To read the shortlisted poems and the quality of their poems in case you want to submit next year or two. Visit here:



www.naijxclusive.com/bn-poetry-prize-2018-shortlist-is-out/