In Ethiopia, the Tizita is memory and the act of remembering; a traditional musical form defined by “lack and longing,” it is often compared to American blues music. In “Unbury Our Dead with Song,” the latest novel by Mũkoma Wa Ngũgĩ, impassioned Tizita performances inspire one man’s quest to uncover the secret of the music’s haunting effect on him and how its many layers reflect the lives of its performers.
With “Unbury Our Dead with Song,” Professor Ngũgĩ has written a love letter to African beauty, music, and the imagination, one that transports readers from the idyllic Ethiopian countryside to vibrant juke joints and raucous parties in Addis Ababa. Join us for this webcast in which the author will take you on a journey to and beyond the Tizita — a stirring entry point into language, literature, and translation. If you love getting lost in music, this conversation is not to be missed.
RESOURCES / NEXT STEPSMukoma’s WebsiteESSAYMukoma Wa Ngugi’s 10 Songs from my TravelsPLAYLISTSPlaylist Inspired by Unbury our DeadMukoma Wa Ngugi’s Playlist for Tizitas
