Kama Sywor Kamanda
カマ・シウォー・カマンダ
Kama Sywor Kamanda
Aliases:
Kama Kamanda
Pen Names:
Kama Kamanda（Alternative shorter name used in publications）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1952-11-11 （Luebo, Kasaï-Occidental (now Kasaï), Democratic Republic of the Congo）
- Nationality
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Languages
- French
- Residence History
- Europe (exile) → Luxembourg (settled)
Career
- Occupations
- writer, poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, storyteller
- Active Years
- 1967-
- Affiliations
- African Association of Writers (founder), Union of Congolese Writers (participant/founding involvement)
- Memberships
- African Association of Writers
- Influenced By
- Léopold Sédar Senghor
- Influenced
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
—
Reported studies in literature, journalism, political science, philosophy and law; specific institutions and graduation years vary between sources
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Prix Paul Verlaine | — | — | Académie française | 受賞 |
| 1990 | Prix Louise-Labé | La Somme du néant (poetry collection) | — | — | 受賞 |
| 1991 | Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire | La Nuit des Griots | — | — | 受賞 |
| 1994 | Prix Théophile Gautier | Les Myriades des temps vécus | — | Académie française | 受賞 |
| 2009 | Prix Heredia | Œuvre poétique: intégrale edition | — | Académie française | 受賞（銅メダル等の記録あり） |
| 2005 | Maurice-Cagnon Certificate of Honour | — | — | International Council for Francophone Studies (Conseil international d'études francophones) | 受賞 |
Prix Paul Verlaine
1987
Organization:
Académie française
Result:
受賞
Prix Louise-Labé
1990
Work:
La Somme du néant (poetry collection)
Result:
受賞
Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire
1991
Work:
La Nuit des Griots
Result:
受賞
Prix Théophile Gautier
1994
Work:
Les Myriades des temps vécus
Organization:
Académie française
Result:
受賞
Prix Heredia
2009
Work:
Œuvre poétique: intégrale edition
Organization:
Académie française
Result:
受賞（銅メダル等の記録あり）
Maurice-Cagnon Certificate of Honour
2005
Organization:
International Council for Francophone Studies (Conseil international d'études francophones)
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Les Contes des veillées africaines
1967 Tales / Fairy talesA collection of tales first published when the author was young. Blends African oral tradition with the author's imagination; a precursor to later 'Griot' collections.
traditionimaginationcultural memory
Translations
- Japanese translations exist (selected tales)
Les Contes du Griot, Vol. 1
1988 Tales / Short stories 220 pagesVolume 1 of the 'Griot' tales. Reworks African oral tales and fables through a literary lens using the griot's voice.
oral transmissionritualmoral fable
Œuvre poétique (complete)
2008 Poetry 977 pagesA collected edition of his poetic work spanning many years; themes include exile, love, hope and African memory.
exilelovehopecelebration of Africa
La Traversée des mirages
2006 Novel 310 pagesA novel addressing political realities and individual destinies. Through themes of power, illusion and social conflict it reflects contemporary African situations.
politicsdestinysocial conflict
L'Insondable destin des hommes
2013 Novel 368 pagesA novel that portrays the impact of political violence and bad governance on youth migration and death; questions consequences of failed governance on individuals and communities.
migrationviolenceinjustice
Bibliography
- Les Contes des veillées africaines (1967)
- Les Contes du Griot, Vol.1 (1988)
- Œuvre poétique (2008)
- La Traversée des mirages (2006)
- L'Insondable destin des hommes (2013)
Translations of Works
- English translations: Fairy Tales / Tales of KAMANDA (multiple English editions)
- Japanese translations: Les Contes du griot, Japanese editions (selected tales)
- Translations into Italian, Chinese and Korean recorded
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- fable-like, griot-inspired narrative voicesymbolic and rich metaphorlyrical, elegiac poetic style
- Recurring Motifs
- exile and solitudeAfrican memory and traditionlove and hopeyearning for justice
Legacy
Kama Sywor Kamanda is internationally recognized as a storyteller-author known for his 'Griot' tales. He has received numerous honours in the Francophone poetic world and beyond. His work, which elevates African oral tradition into modern literature, is widely studied and has influenced poetry, narrative and drama.
Academic Societies
- Académie française (as awarding institution)
Quotes
-
A free people is one that gives itself the means for financial independence to remain master of its destiny.
Source: Source: Wikipedia (quotation) / various works and speeches -
To be optimistic is always to look where the sun is rising and not where it is setting.
Source: Source: Wikipedia (quotation) -
Self-censorship is a violation of integrity.
Source: Source: Wikipedia (quotation) -
To love is to discover happiness.
Source: Source: Wikipedia (quotation)
Trivia
- Reportedly published his first collection of stories at age 15.
- Lived in exile in Europe and later settled in Luxembourg.
- The 'Griot' tales have been translated into multiple languages and received international recognition.