Roi Kwabena

Dr. Roi Ankhkara Kwabena (July 23, 1956, Trinidad — January 9, 2008, England) was a cultural anthropologist, who has worked with all age ranges in Europe, Africa, Latin-America and the Caribbean for over 30 years.

In commemoration of UN’s International Literacy Year 1990 he was "Writer In Residence" at the Trinidad's Public Library. Roi was also appointed the sixth Poet Laureate for the Birmingham, England (2001-2002). He has hosted numerous readings by writers and actively promoted literature development for over 30 years internationally.

His poetry has been commissioned for diverse purposes. He has lectured and performed at many schools, universities, cultural and social venues. In the mid-1990s he served as a Senator in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago.

Roi's affirmative advocacy has ensured his suitability for a variety of specialist projects addressing wide ranging issues such as functional and Cultural literacy, therapeutic harvesting of Memories by elders and young people (including cross generational dialogue) Anti-Racism, Community Cohesion, Social Inclusion, Cultural Diversity, redefining the Heritages of Indigenous peoples plus confidence building for convicted prisoners, excluded and traumatized students, Refugees, etc.

Dr Kwabena is renowned for using critical analysis to examine the historical roots of racism and to assess the direct relevance this has on present society.

In 2007, Roi Kwabena was included among activists, artists, campaigners, sport and media personalities on a wall celebrating efforts of The World's Black Achievers :Past and Present at the Liverpool based International Slavery Museum.

Kwabena died on January 9, 2008, one day after being diagnosed with lung cancer at a hospital in London. Prior to this, doctors had been treating him for pneumonia when it was discovered he had lung cancer. His funeral took place in London on January 26, 2008 and was cremated two days later. His ashes were flown to Trinidad. [cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2008/01/15/roi_kwabena_obit_feature.shtml |title=Dr Roi Ankhkara Kwabena Obituary |publisher=BBC Birmingham |author=David Burke |accessdate=2008-02-07]

Bibliography

*Lament of the soul (poetry), 1974
*Insight (poetry/essay), 1975
*Follow de path (poetry), 1980
*Marijuana (thesis), 1981
*Vegetable & fruit Juices (health), 1982
*C.U.R.E. 84( health journal), 1983
*C.U.R.E. 85 (ibid), 1985
*In other words (poetry) 1986
*Black molasses /brown sugar (journal), 1986
*Seasons of exile (poetry), 1986
*About the Caribbean (socio-geography), 1986
*Sojourn: towards victory (travel journal and history), 1988
*Profile 96 (journal of culture), 1994
*Manifestations (poetry), 1997
*Destiny (journal black history), 1997
*Kush Reclaimed (poetry/ history), 1987/1997/1998
*Nubian Saints of Christianity (history), 1997/1998
*Nubian Glory : our heritage (anthropology/history), 1999
*A job for the hangman (poetry), 1999
*Never trouble, trouble (children stories), 1999
*Ancient inscriptions & sacred texts of Ethiopia (anthropology), 2000
*Whether or not (poetry/history), 2001
*As Long As (poetry), 2005
*Muse of Maps, Muurs, Mounds & Mysteries (essay), 2006
*DIALOGUE (journal for Cultural Literacy), 2006/2007
*Orisha Songs for Celina (poetry), 2006
*In the moment (Poetry), 2006
*TA MERI KA EL (Anthropology), 2006

Discography

*Y42K- Spoken Word CD- 2000/2006 (blueplanetsound, UK & Bembe Productions)

References

External links

* [http://www.postcolonialweb.org/caribbean/kwabena/index.html Post Colonial Literature of the Caribbean]
* [http://www.roikwabena.blogspot.com Another blog by Roi]
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=1598&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=11272 Birmingham.gov.uk biography]
* [http://www.nrdc.org.uk/roi National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/roikwabena Website dedicated to Roi's life's work]