“Literary Works and Society Are Inseparable”: Gambian Writer, Kebba S. Juwara Tells Dr. Geraldine Sinyuy in an Interview

Geraldine Sinyuy: Please tell us about yourself.
Kebba S. Juwara:  My name is Kebba S. Juwara. I am a young literary scholar with four independent publications and two co-authored books. I have also been published in several magazines, anthologies, and individual international and local publications, including newspapers.  I am a final year Bachelors student at the University of The Gambia.

Geraldine: It’s amazing that you already have this number of publications. Congratulations. Can you tell us something about your views in connection to being a writer and human rights?
Kebba S. Juwara: I believe being a writer is somewhat akin to being a human rights activist. Most times, if not all, writers serve as voices of the voiceless. Therefore, our works are beyond representing ourselves, they also represent others around us. And, there is no other activism that is more noble than standing for the rights of others. Therefore, I believe the connection between being a writer and understanding and standing for human rights is strong and indispensable.

Geraldine Sinyuy: You just hit the nail in the head. Thank you for your consciousness of the fact that writers have to produce works that do not only represent themselves but also other people in the society. Actually, there is what we call art for art’s sake and literature of commitment. You are on the side of literature of commitment and I appreciate that. Keep the fire burning. When did you start writing?
Kebba S. Juwara: It is hard to remember when I began writing. However, my earliest available writings date back to 2015 when I was 18 years old.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Great. It’s about that same age that most writers start their writing careers. What inspired you to become a writer?
Kebba S. Juwara:   I had always been an extensive reader. Sometimes I read works that amaze me and sometimes, works that make me tell myself, "You can do this." This was one of my inspirations to pick up a pen and experiment. I was also inspired by my cousin brother, Ansu Juwara. He is a very powerful writer but not quite keen about writing. I always wanted to write like him and that made me start writing.

Geraldine Sinyuy: A lot is being said today with respect to the violation of human rights, what do you have to say?
Kebba S. Juwara:  I must say I am deeply disappointed in world leaders; those with power and authority to make things happen and make things stop happening. The human rights violations around the world are heartbreaking. Take Sudan, Somalia, Congo, and Palestine, for example; how many millions have lost their lives and livelihoods for causes they know nothing about? We need a better world, and that starts with respect for human rights irrespective of origin, race, religion, or wealth. Moreover, I am disappointed in the ordinary citizens of the world. If we all stand together, we can end human rights violations around the globe. It doesn't matter who it is against. Violation is violation. This is why I have recently centred my writing on such issues in Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Palestine.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Women and young girls face a lot of challenges in Africa when it comes to education. What do you think can be done?
Kebba S. Juwara: I think the best way to address this matter is to use governments in Africa in championing the campaign. NGOs have been trying. Though with success to some extent, I think girls and women will be better supported when their governments are at the forefront. So, I support a state institutionalised approach to supporting girls and women.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What was your first piece of creative work?
Kebba S. Juwara:  It was a story. I believe it's a short story. It is not long enough to qualify for a novel.

Geraldine Sinyuy: How does your community receive your work?
Kebba S. Juwara:  Well, my community is very receptive of my works. I write on themes that they find engaging and relatable.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Does your country play a good role in your life as a writer? Are there any fundings kept apart for writers?
Kebba S. Juwara: No. Writers in The Gambia fend for themselves. Apart from my novel which got published abroad, I personally footed the bills for all my other publications.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  That’s where most writers find difficulties. We hope that someday things will change for better for writers in Africa and the world at large. What can you say about African literature today?
Kebba S. Juwara: Hurray! It is looking beautiful. I love the energy coming from the younger generation. African literature is diverse and rich. I love the contents and the trend.

Geraldine Sinyuy: You are right, many young and focused African writers are on rise and I also love the trend. Writing is no longer a thing of the old alone. What are the themes that run through your work?
Kebba S. Juwara:   Themes of culture, Africanism, politics, religion, corruption and similar themes.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What was the most interesting book you ever read?
Kebba S. Juwara: The most interesting book I ever read is Daabali Gi. It is the second in Baaba Sillah's Trilogy. It explores themes of identity, colonialism, war (World War 1&2), and fight for liberation. It is a historical fiction.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Do you have models in the library field?
Kebba S. Juwara: Yes. Baaba Sillah, Chinua Achebe, Abdoulie Senghore, Musa Bah (Scribbler) are people I look up to.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Human rights is a complex field and literature handles much of it. Do you in any way write anything with respect to human rights? Do you feel safe in actually writing about sensitive human rights issues in your country?
Kebba S. Juwara: Thank you for this important question. As it is well-known, literary works and society are inseparable. There is no literature without society and there no society without literature. So, to have my works relevant and relatable, I write on social matters and this does not exclude human rights issues. I believe a great deal of my themes rotate around human rights though not too explicitly. 
There is less direct human rights abuse from government in The Gambia. So generally, we are safe. However, due to personal and familial reasons, I avoid explicit language when addressing certain issues especially when it touches on government or politics. If the human rights issues have nothing directly to do with authority, then my language is always direct and easy to decode.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Now that we have to wrap up this conversation, tell us something interesting about your country Gambia. Thank you very much for your very insightful responses. We hope to have a conversation with you again in the nearest future.
Kebba S. Juwara:  Gambia is a very small country. Small in every sense. Almost everyone is related some way. We are generally peaceful and hospitable. We are known as the Smiling Coast of Africa. We have eight ethnic groups in The Gambia and interestingly, some have Joking Relationships with each other. This is a culture that is hard to come by in any other part of the world. This Joking Relationship also extends to regions and family names. When two ethnic groups, regions, or surnames have Joking Relationship between them, they poke fun at each other, play, and are forbidden by the culture to harm or hurt one another under any circumstance. This is a highly regarded tradition, passed down over centuries. This is something I love so much about my country.