Report: Adedayo Agarau’s Forthcoming Collection featured in APBF’s New-Generation African Poets Chapbook Box Set

Uchenna Emelife reports,

Nigerian poet: Adeyayo Adeyeyemi Agarau, author of "the arrival of rain" took to his Twitter Yesterday, the 22nd of May, 2020 details about his forthcoming chapbook.

The chapbook titled "THE ORIGIN OF NAME" is part of the African Poetry Book Fund Chapbook Box Set: New Generation African poets, edited by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani.

The tweet which contained the announcement also unveiled the cover of the chapbook.

Agarau tweeted: "Honoured to unveil the cover of THE ORIGIN OF NAME from New-Generation African Poets: A chapbook boxset edited by @kwamedawes x @chrisabani for @AfricanPoetryBF..."

New Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (SABA) is an annual project of the African Poetry Book Fund. Its aim is to identify the best poetry written by African poets writing Today with special interest in those who are yet to publish their first full-length poetry collection.

This edition’s contains 11 individual chapbooks from eleven African poets.

“Agarau’s debut poetry collection is truly an exceptional one." Mahtem Shiferrwa writes in the preface.

"He labors to ensure that his craft and language are suitable conveyors of the intricacies and complexities of Yoruba thought. His unapologetic tone is tempered by moments of disarming softness even as he renames his people over and over again in what amounts to an act of both resistance and kindness."

Other poets in the Chapbook Box Set are: Michelle Angwenyi, Afua Ansong, Fatima Camara, Sadia Hassan, Safia Jama, Henneh Kyereh Kwaku, Nadra Mabrouk, Nkateko Masinga, Jamila Osman, and Tryphena Yeboah.

Release date is July 28, 2020 but it is however available for pre-order.