Voices From Kibuli Country

by Dannabang Kuwabong

This collection results from the author’s experiences in Hamilton, Ontario, where he has a home, and his travels over several Caribbean islands and in the United States as a person of multiple locations and origins: Canadian, African and Ghanaian.

The Hamilton poems also look at the experiences of immigrants, their disrupted lives and loves, their broken dreams. The history of Africa Village in Hamilton Mountain, now known as Concession Street Housing finds its way into these poems. The Caribbean poems, based on visits to St. Croix, St. Martin/St. Maarten, and The Commonwealth of Dominica, as a West African person, questions the poet’s assumptions within the historical realities of these islands.

The poetry focuses on the present realities and how they are influenced by the past. The author’s visit to Athens, Ohio, enabled him to reflect on the Appalachian Mountains. Voices from Kibuli Country is profoundly inspired by the African experience both in the homeland and in the Americas, where many Ghanaians ended up.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2013

About the author

Dannabang Kuwabong is a Ghanaian Canadian born in Nanville in the Upper West Region of Ghana. He was educated in Ghana, Scotland, and Canada and teaches Caribbean literature at the University of Puerto Rico, San Juan. He has published three books:Konga and other Dagaaba Folktales, Visions of Venom, Caribbean Blues & Love's Genealogy, and Echoes from Dusty Rivers (poetry). Kuwabong’s poetry adds a new dimension to the growing body of new voices that is beginning to expand and redefine Canadian literature.

Reviews

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive this book from a goodreads giveaway. Very much appreciated like always!
I really, really wanted to like this book. I re read it 3 times before I reviewed it to be fair. I'm a Toronto native, so naturally I was drawn to a book based in Hamilton which is about 2 hours from home. I have also traveled extensively through the Caribbean- double bonus! Or so I thought.
Unfortunately, I found the poems a bit boring and dry. They tended to drag on a bit. A decent read, especially for those from the area, Ghana or the Carribean, but not for everyone.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very interesting at all. With a handful of poems it gained impact, but the rest were dragged and took that impact away. At times I felt things weren't going very in depth. I didn't learn or feel anything with this one.