The Chattering Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison by Jack Mapanje, A Review
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[{'start': '0.100', 'end': '1.200', 'text': 'Welcome to Literary'}, {'start': '1.200', 'end': '3.066', 'text': 'Journeys Across Africa.'}, {'start': '3.066', 'end': '3.633', 'text': 'Today, we’re'}, {'start': '3.633', 'end': '5.833', 'text': 'exploring a powerful collection of poetry'}, {'start': '5.833', 'end': '7.466', 'text': 'born from political imprisonment'}, {'start': '7.466', 'end': '8.066', 'text': 'and resilience'}, {'start': '8.066', 'end': '9.466', 'text': '- “The Chattering'}, {'start': '9.466', 'end': '10.500', 'text': 'Wagtails of Mikuyu'}, {'start': '10.500', 'end': '13.066', 'text': 'Prison” by Malawian poet Jack Mapanje.'}, {'start': '13.066', 'end': '15.333', 'text': 'Published in 1993,'}, {'start': '15.333', 'end': '17.333', 'text': 'this collection of forty-five poems'}, {'start': '17.333', 'end': '19.366', 'text': 'tells the harrowing story of Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '19.366', 'end': '20.733', 'text': 'arrest, his three'}, {'start': '20.733', 'end': '22.066', 'text': 'and a half years of detention'}, {'start': '22.066', 'end': '23.433', 'text': 'without charge at Mikuyu'}, {'start': '23.433', 'end': '25.233', 'text': 'Maximum Detention Center,'}, {'start': '25.233', 'end': '27.500', 'text': 'and his life after prison.'}, {'start': '27.500', 'end': '28.766', 'text': 'The poems are organized'}, {'start': '28.766', 'end': '30.600', 'text': 'into four sections: “Another'}, {'start': '30.600', 'end': '32.033', 'text': 'Fools’ Day Homes In,”'}, {'start': '32.033', 'end': '32.900', 'text': '“Out of Bounds,”'}, {'start': '32.900', 'end': '34.266', 'text': '“Chattering Wagtails,” and “The'}, {'start': '34.266', 'end': '35.833', 'text': 'Release and Other Curious'}, {'start': '35.833', 'end': '37.266', 'text': 'Sights.” Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '37.266', 'end': '38.200', 'text': 'imprisonment came'}, {'start': '38.200', 'end': '39.300', 'text': 'after the reprinting'}, {'start': '39.300', 'end': '41.466', 'text': 'of his first poetry collection, “Of'}, {'start': '41.466', 'end': '42.966', 'text': 'Chameleons and Gods” -'}, {'start': '42.966', 'end': '44.500', 'text': 'a work that dared to criticize'}, {'start': '44.500', 'end': '48.800', 'text': 'the authoritarian regime of his country.'}, {'start': '48.900', 'end': '49.933', 'text': 'From the very beginning,'}, {'start': '49.933', 'end': '51.766', 'text': 'in the Prologue, darkness forebodes'}, {'start': '51.766', 'end': '53.500', 'text': 'the journey we’re about to take.'}, {'start': '53.500', 'end': '54.900', 'text': 'Mapanje writes:'}, {'start': '54.900', 'end': '56.733', 'text': '“Laughters and ceaseless tears'}, {'start': '56.733', 'end': '59.166', 'text': 'shed In the Chaos of invented autocracies'}, {'start': '59.166', 'end': '61.733', 'text': 'Now darkly out of bounds beyond...”'}, {'start': '61.733', 'end': '63.066', 'text': 'In the first section,'}, {'start': '63.066', 'end': '63.633', 'text': 'Mapanje'}, {'start': '63.633', 'end': '65.100', 'text': 'reveals himself as a keen'}, {'start': '65.100', 'end': '66.733', 'text': 'observer of society,'}, {'start': '66.733', 'end': '68.233', 'text': 'using metaphor to critique'}, {'start': '68.233', 'end': '70.566', 'text': 'corruption and exploitation.'}, {'start': '70.566', 'end': '72.466', 'text': 'In “Haggling Old Woman at Balaka,”'}, {'start': '72.466', 'end': '74.400', 'text': 'he uses the image of women'}, {'start': '74.400', 'end': '76.166', 'text': 'trading their valuable resources'}, {'start': '76.166', 'end': '77.666', 'text': 'for trinkets as a metaphor'}, {'start': '77.666', 'end': '79.466', 'text': 'for how the country’s political elite'}, {'start': '79.466', 'end': '81.433', 'text': 'were exchanging national resources'}, {'start': '81.433', 'end': '83.566', 'text': 'for superficial gains: “You sell'}, {'start': '83.566', 'end': '84.200', 'text': 'chicken eggs'}, {'start': '84.200', 'end': '85.466', 'text': 'for cokes and fantas'}, {'start': '85.466', 'end': '87.400', 'text': 'To suckle your babies,'}, {'start': '87.400', 'end': '88.333', 'text': 'then you ask me'}, {'start': '88.333', 'end': '90.600', 'text': 'Why your babies are rickets and ribs?”'}, {'start': '90.600', 'end': '92.300', 'text': 'He continues this critique,'}, {'start': '92.300', 'end': '94.100', 'text': 'observing how the powerful build:'}, {'start': '94.100', 'end': '95.633', 'text': '“Brick houses on old women’s'}, {'start': '95.633', 'end': '97.233', 'text': 'dying energies” In “For'}, {'start': '97.233', 'end': '99.500', 'text': 'Another Village Politburo Projected,”'}, {'start': '99.500', 'end': '100.066', 'text': 'Mapanje'}, {'start': '100.066', 'end': '101.066', 'text': 'directly addresses'}, {'start': '101.066', 'end': '101.833', 'text': 'the politicians'}, {'start': '101.833', 'end': '104.266', 'text': 'who manipulate the masses: “Hyenas'}, {'start': '104.266', 'end': '105.900', 'text': 'with the gilt of our skulls behind'}, {'start': '105.900', 'end': '107.233', 'text': 'will Tumble in chicken bones'}, {'start': '107.233', 'end': '108.300', 'text': 'fattened by the meager'}, {'start': '108.300', 'end': '109.800', 'text': 'Women of this village”'}, {'start': '109.800', 'end': '110.600', 'text': 'But Mapanje'}, {'start': '110.600', 'end': '111.900', 'text': 'doesn’t spare the citizens'}, {'start': '111.900', 'end': '113.833', 'text': 'who remain silent either.'}, {'start': '113.833', 'end': '116.433', 'text': 'He criticizes those who keep: “The pain'}, {'start': '116.433', 'end': '118.200', 'text': 'on the periphery of their senses”'}, {'start': '118.200', 'end': '119.666', 'text': 'And in “When'}, {'start': '119.666', 'end': '121.766', 'text': 'the Shire Valley Dries Up Patiently,”'}, {'start': '121.766', 'end': '122.500', 'text': 'he writes:'}, {'start': '122.500', 'end': '123.500', 'text': '“The crime'}, {'start': '123.500', 'end': '125.966', 'text': 'is how we deliberately keep out of touch,'}, {'start': '125.966', 'end': '127.633', 'text': 'Pretending it has nothing to do'}, {'start': '127.633', 'end': '128.700', 'text': 'with us, we’ve'}, {'start': '128.700', 'end': '129.433', 'text': 'been Through it'}, {'start': '129.433', 'end': '133.233', 'text': 'all.” In the second section,'}, {'start': '133.233', 'end': '134.233', 'text': '“Out of Bounds,”'}, {'start': '134.233', 'end': '134.800', 'text': 'Mapanje'}, {'start': '134.800', 'end': '136.066', 'text': 'becomes even more daring'}, {'start': '136.066', 'end': '137.666', 'text': 'in his social commentary.'}, {'start': '137.666', 'end': '139.466', 'text': 'He exposes the harsh realities'}, {'start': '139.466', 'end': '140.733', 'text': 'faced by the poor,'}, {'start': '140.733', 'end': '141.766', 'text': 'particularly women'}, {'start': '141.766', 'end': '142.933', 'text': 'whose husbands have been sent'}, {'start': '142.933', 'end': '144.033', 'text': 'to work in mines:'}, {'start': '144.033', 'end': '145.633', 'text': '“...the wives survive'}, {'start': '145.633', 'end': '146.366', 'text': 'by their wits'}, {'start': '146.366', 'end': '148.100', 'text': '& sweats: Shoving'}, {'start': '148.100', 'end': '150.233', 'text': 'dead cassava stalks into rocks,'}, {'start': '150.233', 'end': '151.500', 'text': 'catching Fish in tired'}, {'start': '151.500', 'end': '153.300', 'text': 'chitenje cloths with kids,'}, {'start': '153.300', 'end': '155.666', 'text': 'picking Baobab fruit & whoring...”'}, {'start': '155.666', 'end': '157.533', 'text': 'His use of the word “whoring” -'}, {'start': '157.533', 'end': '159.400', 'text': 'repeated throughout the collection -'}, {'start': '159.400', 'end': '161.100', 'text': 'was particularly provocative'}, {'start': '161.100', 'end': '162.000', 'text': 'in a society'}, {'start': '162.000', 'end': '163.666', 'text': 'where discussion of sexual matters'}, {'start': '163.666', 'end': '165.100', 'text': 'was taboo.'}, {'start': '165.100', 'end': '165.733', 'text': 'In “The Farm'}, {'start': '165.733', 'end': '167.400', 'text': 'that Gobbles the Land at Home,”'}, {'start': '167.400', 'end': '170.166', 'text': 'inspired by Kofi Awoonor’s “The Sea eats'}, {'start': '170.166', 'end': '171.233', 'text': 'the Land at Home,”'}, {'start': '171.233', 'end': '172.433', 'text': 'Mapanje critiques'}, {'start': '172.433', 'end': '173.666', 'text': 'the exploitation inherent'}, {'start': '173.666', 'end': '175.466', 'text': 'in so-called economic development:'}, {'start': '175.466', 'end': '176.100', 'text': '“One farmer'}, {'start': '176.100', 'end': '176.833', 'text': 'gathers smaller'}, {'start': '176.833', 'end': '179.933', 'text': 'farmers into WETs (Wage-Earning-Tenants)'}, {'start': '180.000', 'end': '182.266', 'text': 'offering them thirty coins Per day,'}, {'start': '182.266', 'end': '183.233', 'text': 'stopping their mixed'}, {'start': '183.233', 'end': '183.933', 'text': 'planting: cheap'}, {'start': '183.933', 'end': '185.433', 'text': 'Original ashes or compost'}, {'start': '185.433', 'end': '188.500', 'text': 'manures are banned (To maximise profits)'}, {'start': '188.566', 'end': '190.200', 'text': 'and fertilizers'}, {'start': '190.200', 'end': '192.666', 'text': '(only farms Can afford) imposed.”'}, {'start': '192.666', 'end': '194.400', 'text': 'One of the most haunting poems in'}, {'start': '194.400', 'end': '196.200', 'text': 'this section is “Out of Bounds (or'}, {'start': '196.200', 'end': '197.700', 'text': 'Our Maternity Asylum),”'}, {'start': '197.700', 'end': '198.566', 'text': 'which describes'}, {'start': '198.566', 'end': '199.866', 'text': 'an overcrowded maternity'}, {'start': '199.866', 'end': '201.333', 'text': 'ward: “Sixty'}, {'start': '201.333', 'end': '202.833', 'text': 'inmates of spasming women'}, {'start': '202.833', 'end': '205.833', 'text': 'top & tail On thirty beds; ninety'}, {'start': '205.833', 'end': '207.566', 'text': 'others with infants Scramble'}, {'start': '207.566', 'end': '209.533', 'text': 'over the cracked cold cement floor'}, {'start': '209.533', 'end': '211.433', 'text': '- A family under each bed,'}, {'start': '211.433', 'end': '216.033', 'text': 'most in between” The third section,'}, {'start': '216.066', 'end': '217.666', 'text': '“Chattering Wagtails,”'}, {'start': '217.666', 'end': '219.100', 'text': 'brings us into Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '219.100', 'end': '221.033', 'text': 'experience of imprisonment.'}, {'start': '221.033', 'end': '222.100', 'text': 'Here, he describes'}, {'start': '222.100', 'end': '223.500', 'text': 'the dehumanizing treatment'}, {'start': '223.500', 'end': '224.266', 'text': 'of being stripped'}, {'start': '224.266', 'end': '225.866', 'text': 'naked like a common criminal,'}, {'start': '225.866', 'end': '228.866', 'text': 'the fear for his family left outside,'}, {'start': '228.900', 'end': '230.266', 'text': 'and the betrayal by those'}, {'start': '230.266', 'end': '232.066', 'text': 'who once claimed to love him'}, {'start': '232.066', 'end': '233.533', 'text': 'but now avoid his family'}, {'start': '233.533', 'end': '235.800', 'text': 'out of fear of government reprisal.'}, {'start': '235.800', 'end': '237.000', 'text': 'The title poem,'}, {'start': '237.000', 'end': '237.633', 'text': '“The Chattering'}, {'start': '237.633', 'end': '240.800', 'text': 'Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison,” finds Mapanje'}, {'start': '241.000', 'end': '243.000', 'text': 'developing a relationship with the birds'}, {'start': '243.000', 'end': '243.700', 'text': 'whose droppings'}, {'start': '243.700', 'end': '245.733', 'text': 'he was forced to clean daily.'}, {'start': '245.733', 'end': '247.766', 'text': 'He laments how real criminals are often'}, {'start': '247.766', 'end': '248.633', 'text': 'released quickly'}, {'start': '248.633', 'end': '250.700', 'text': 'while political prisoners like himself'}, {'start': '250.700', 'end': '252.966', 'text': 'remain behind bars for years.'}, {'start': '252.966', 'end': '254.166', 'text': 'The final section begins'}, {'start': '254.166', 'end': '255.300', 'text': 'with “The Release:'}, {'start': '255.300', 'end': '256.333', 'text': 'Who Are You,'}, {'start': '256.333', 'end': '257.966', 'text': 'Imbongi?” - describing Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '257.966', 'end': '259.800', 'text': 'release after international pressure'}, {'start': '259.800', 'end': '262.066', 'text': 'from fellow writers and activists.'}, {'start': '262.066', 'end': '262.933', 'text': 'But freedom doesn’t'}, {'start': '262.933', 'end': '265.033', 'text': 'mean silence for the poet.'}, {'start': '265.033', 'end': '266.000', 'text': 'In “The Straggling'}, {'start': '266.000', 'end': '267.200', 'text': 'Mudhuts of Kirk Range,”'}, {'start': '267.200', 'end': '269.333', 'text': 'he continues to observe and critique:'}, {'start': '269.333', 'end': '270.766', 'text': '“Straggling shackscape'}, {'start': '270.766', 'end': '271.800', 'text': 'a chaperon and A boy'}, {'start': '271.800', 'end': '274.466', 'text': 'defiantly declare their UNHCR Wares'}, {'start': '274.466', 'end': '275.766', 'text': 'beside the highway:'}, {'start': '275.766', 'end': '277.400', 'text': 'tins of butter From European'}, {'start': '277.400', 'end': '279.500', 'text': 'Community mountains, Paraffin'}, {'start': '279.500', 'end': '281.400', 'text': 'glass lanterns from Mozambique'}, {'start': '281.400', 'end': '283.333', 'text': 'And gallons of American cooking oil'}, {'start': '283.333', 'end': '285.433', 'text': '(Bantering for the much needed dry'}, {'start': '285.433', 'end': '286.333', 'text': 'fish The donors'}, {'start': '286.333', 'end': '287.333', 'text': 'overlooked).”'}, {'start': '287.333', 'end': '289.100', 'text': 'A recurring term in Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '289.100', 'end': '290.866', 'text': 'work is “accidentalized,”'}, {'start': '290.866', 'end': '292.066', 'text': 'which he defines as “to'}, {'start': '292.066', 'end': '293.933', 'text': 'kill and pretend it was an accident'}, {'start': '293.933', 'end': '296.100', 'text': 'when everybody knows it was not.”'}, {'start': '296.100', 'end': '297.400', 'text': 'This word first appears'}, {'start': '297.400', 'end': '298.500', 'text': 'in the opening section'}, {'start': '298.500', 'end': '299.133', 'text': 'and returns'}, {'start': '299.133', 'end': '300.266', 'text': 'in the final poem,'}, {'start': '300.266', 'end': '301.266', 'text': '“The Deluge'}, {'start': '301.266', 'end': '303.300', 'text': 'after our Gweru Prison Dreams,”'}, {'start': '303.300', 'end': '305.066', 'text': 'suggesting that despite his release,'}, {'start': '305.066', 'end': '306.933', 'text': 'the cycle of oppression continues.'}, {'start': '306.933', 'end': '310.500', 'text': 'Mapanje’s collection'}, {'start': '310.500', 'end': '311.800', 'text': 'reads like a circle,'}, {'start': '311.800', 'end': '314.266', 'text': 'with no clear beginning or end.'}, {'start': '314.266', 'end': '315.900', 'text': 'The same truth-telling that led'}, {'start': '315.900', 'end': '317.466', 'text': 'to his imprisonment continues'}, {'start': '317.466', 'end': '319.766', 'text': 'in his poetry after release.'}, {'start': '319.766', 'end': '321.400', 'text': 'Had he not left Malawi,'}, {'start': '321.400', 'end': '322.833', 'text': 'he might have faced re-arrest'}, {'start': '322.833', 'end': '324.066', 'text': 'or been “accidentalized”'}, {'start': '324.066', 'end': '324.733', 'text': 'like others'}, {'start': '324.733', 'end': '327.000', 'text': 'who dared to speak truth to power.'}, {'start': '327.000', 'end': '327.800', 'text': '“The Chattering'}, {'start': '327.800', 'end': '328.800', 'text': 'Wagtails of Mikuyu'}, {'start': '328.800', 'end': '329.733', 'text': 'Prison” stands'}, {'start': '329.733', 'end': '331.100', 'text': 'as a testament to poetry’s'}, {'start': '331.100', 'end': '333.033', 'text': 'power as political resistance.'}, {'start': '333.033', 'end': '334.633', 'text': 'Mapanje’s ability'}, {'start': '334.633', 'end': '336.866', 'text': 'to encode critique within metaphor'}, {'start': '336.866', 'end': '338.566', 'text': 'allowed him to speak about oppression'}, {'start': '338.566', 'end': '340.200', 'text': 'even under censorship,'}, {'start': '340.200', 'end': '341.633', 'text': 'and his continued commitment'}, {'start': '341.633', 'end': '342.366', 'text': 'to truth-telling'}, {'start': '342.366', 'end': '343.100', 'text': 'reminds us'}, {'start': '343.100', 'end': '344.700', 'text': 'of literature’s vital role'}, {'start': '344.700', 'end': '346.600', 'text': 'in the fight for freedom.'}, {'start': '346.600', 'end': '348.600', 'text': 'Jack Mapanje taught in Malawian'}, {'start': '348.600', 'end': '349.500', 'text': 'secondary schools'}, {'start': '349.500', 'end': '350.800', 'text': 'before joining the Department'}, {'start': '350.800', 'end': '351.900', 'text': 'at Chancellor College,'}, {'start': '351.900', 'end': '354.900', 'text': 'University of Malawi, in 1975,'}, {'start': '355.033', 'end': '356.633', 'text': 'first as a lecturer,'}, {'start': '356.633', 'end': '357.666', 'text': 'then as Head of the'}, {'start': '357.666', 'end': '359.366', 'text': 'Department of English.'}, {'start': '359.366', 'end': '360.833', 'text': 'He holds a Bachelor of Arts'}, {'start': '360.833', 'end': '361.466', 'text': 'and Diploma'}, {'start': '361.466', 'end': '362.300', 'text': 'in Education'}, {'start': '362.300', 'end': '363.800', 'text': 'from the University of Malawi,'}, {'start': '363.800', 'end': '365.533', 'text': 'an Masters of Philosophy'}, {'start': '365.533', 'end': '366.800', 'text': 'in English and Education'}, {'start': '366.800', 'end': '369.000', 'text': 'from The Institute of Education London,'}, {'start': '369.000', 'end': '370.000', 'text': 'and a Ph.D.'}, {'start': '370.000', 'end': '370.766', 'text': 'in Linguistics'}, {'start': '370.766', 'end': '372.600', 'text': 'from University College London,'}, {'start': '372.600', 'end': '375.200', 'text': 'which he completed in 1983.'}, {'start': '375.200', 'end': '376.200', 'text': 'His first collection'}, {'start': '376.200', 'end': '377.133', 'text': 'of poems, “Of'}, {'start': '377.133', 'end': '378.600', 'text': 'Chameleons and Gods,”'}, {'start': '378.600', 'end': '381.266', 'text': 'was published in the UK in 1981'}, {'start': '381.266', 'end': '382.966', 'text': 'but was withdrawn from bookshops,'}, {'start': '382.966', 'end': '384.833', 'text': 'libraries, and all institutions'}, {'start': '384.833', 'end': '388.166', 'text': 'of learning in Malawi in June 1985'}, {'start': '388.233', 'end': '389.100', 'text': 'He was imprisoned'}, {'start': '389.100', 'end': '389.900', 'text': 'without trial'}, {'start': '389.900', 'end': '390.500', 'text': 'or charge'}, {'start': '390.500', 'end': '393.100', 'text': 'by the Malawian government in 1987.'}, {'start': '393.100', 'end': '394.800', 'text': 'Despite campaigns'}, {'start': '394.800', 'end': '395.566', 'text': 'for his release'}, {'start': '395.566', 'end': '397.133', 'text': 'by prominent writers and human'}, {'start': '397.133', 'end': '398.066', 'text': 'rights activists'}, {'start': '398.066', 'end': '400.900', 'text': 'including Harold Pinter, Wole Soyinka,'}, {'start': '400.900', 'end': '402.300', 'text': 'Susan Sontag,'}, {'start': '402.300', 'end': '403.366', 'text': 'and Noam Chomsky,'}, {'start': '403.366', 'end': '406.366', 'text': 'he was not freed until 1991.'}, {'start': '406.533', 'end': '408.266', 'text': 'The poems in “The Chattering'}, {'start': '408.266', 'end': '409.266', 'text': 'Wagtails of Mikuyu'}, {'start': '409.266', 'end': '410.533', 'text': 'Prison” were composed'}, {'start': '410.533', 'end': '412.066', 'text': 'while he was imprisoned,'}, {'start': '412.066', 'end': '414.033', 'text': 'as were most of his third collection,'}, {'start': '414.033', 'end': '415.666', 'text': '“Skipping without Ropes,”'}, {'start': '415.666', 'end': '417.833', 'text': 'published in 1998.'}, {'start': '417.833', 'end': '419.766', 'text': 'Jack Mapanje later moved to York,'}, {'start': '419.766', 'end': '421.500', 'text': 'England, and taught Creative Writing'}, {'start': '421.500', 'end': '423.233', 'text': 'and Literature of Incarceration'}, {'start': '423.233', 'end': '424.300', 'text': 'in the School of English'}, {'start': '424.300', 'end': '427.300', 'text': 'at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.'}, {'start': '427.400', 'end': '429.033', 'text': 'His book “The Last of the Sweet'}, {'start': '429.033', 'end': '430.366', 'text': 'Bananas: New and Selected'}, {'start': '430.366', 'end': '431.733', 'text': 'Poems” was published in'}, {'start': '431.733', 'end': '433.566', 'text': '2004, followed by'}, {'start': '433.566', 'end': '438.000', 'text': '“Beasts of Nalunga” in 2007.'}, {'start': '438.066', 'end': '439.300', 'text': 'Thank you for joining us on'}, {'start': '439.300', 'end': '440.900', 'text': 'this journey through “The Chattering'}, {'start': '440.900', 'end': '442.833', 'text': 'Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison.”'}, {'start': '442.833', 'end': '444.766', 'text': 'If you’ve been moved by Jack Mapanje’s'}, {'start': '444.766', 'end': '446.266', 'text': 'story and poetry,'}, {'start': '446.266', 'end': '447.800', 'text': 'please share this video,'}, {'start': '447.800', 'end': '449.333', 'text': 'subscribe to our channel,'}, {'start': '449.333', 'end': '450.433', 'text': 'and join us next week'}, {'start': '450.433', 'end': '451.500', 'text': 'for another Literary'}, {'start': '451.500', 'end': '452.800', 'text': 'Journey Across Africa.'}]