'Kudikilira Mzungu':Poetry from Felix Njonjonjo

Reviewed by: Emmanuel Luciano Gospel Kazako and Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga’s Kuyimba kwa Alakatuli was the best thing that ever happened in the world of vernacular poetry in the country. The poetry enthusiasm of the two marked the springboard for emerging poets who wanted to fully venture into vernacular poetry. Though Gospel and Benedicto arguably made vernacular poetry popular with their recitals on the local radio station, the emergence of Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa and Felix Njonjonjo Katsoka as new generation vernacular poets revitalised poetry recitals altogether. But Njonjonjo and Nyamalikiti have their vernacular poetry background in what they started as ‘Chiphwelemwe Cha Msangulutso’ when they were still in college at Chanco in Zomba. A holder of Bachelor of Education degree, Njonjonjo has decided to take his poetry a mile further by releasing a 15-track album, Kudikilira Mzungu. Employing a satirical tone, Kudikilira Mzungu pours scorn on the fickleness that is Malawian politics. Politicians are ridiculed for changing party allegiance like a chameleon as evidenced in Majeremusi whose innuendos and subsequent images it creates are pleasing to the ear. The country’s currency, Kwacha is scoffed at for its instability: Iwe tandionetse khongono zako ndizotani?..Yabwera liti Euro kuti ikulikhe?.../ Khungu lako ndi lamakwinya lonyozoloka/ Fodya tikukulimirayu sakukwana…kuti ubwelere mphamvu? You would admire the alliteration, the crafting of words and the symbolism that the images carry in Ndichani Chizunguza Bongo, a poem that poses a question on what actually is in a beer or alcohol to make people go crazy: Ndichani chizunguza bongo choti njo muntonjani/..chimadensa msana mukadansana/..ndi bangalanji kam’banga/…kapena amakhala petulo ndi Rhoda Mpetuloda? The larger than life issues of HIV/ Aids are discussed in Akadakhala Malungo while Adapita Davideko makes a mockery of the NGOs that have been fighting Madonna’s adoption of David Banda. The tendency of attributing everything good to the 'Mzungu’ is discouraged in Kudikira Mzungu. I haven’t listened to good vernacular poetry for a while but this one would make those who appreciate art green with envy at the artistry of Njonjonjo. Save for the few poems that are too long for the easily distracted mind, it’s a must have for those who like ‘good things’. Recorded at Baptist Media Centre, the album is available for sale at Baptist Media Centre and other outlets throughout the country.