Writer Feature: Matrida Phiri
The Writer's Notebook
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The Writer's Notebook *
Matrida Phiri lives in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. She is one of IHRAM’s treasured writers. In this interview, she shares her musings, inspiration, and honest thoughts on her experience with us as an author and activist.
Her latest publication with IHRAM Press is TRADITION, a poem in IHRAM Quarterly: Reflections of Feminine Empowerment.
Thank you for all you do, Matrida.
Now be honest, how has your experience been with IHRAM Press? How did you find us and why did you choose to publish with us?
I stumbled upon IHRAM Press as I searched for a place where to submit my poetry on Google search in December of 2023. I submitted my poem and was pleasantly surprised when shortly after that I received an acknowledgement and acceptance of the poem for publication. I was so grateful to IHRAM Press for publishing my poem in their June Edition of 2024. I even received a token of appreciation from them for submitting my work!
Would you recommend IHRAM Press to other writers/artists?
I would most certainly recommend IHRAM Press to writers and artists looking for a place to submit their work for consideration. You will get timely feedback from them.
Share a couple of quotes from your written piece/s published in IHRAM Literary Magazine 2024!
“These discriminatory customs which dictate that he is always right
That his propensity to bodily and verbally abuse the female is fitting
That he holds the entitlement to openly woo tons of concubines”
Now for the fun questions! What compels you to pick up a pen or open your laptop to free-write? And what inspires/influences your writing, particularly when it comes to addressing human rights issues?
Writing for me is an outlet through which I empty the pent up emotions that clog my innermost being after hearing about the injustices that afflict many who find themselves at the mercy of others, more powerful than themselves. I am particularly compelled to write because of the way African women endure so much in silence. I have been there, and as I touch pen to paper, I feel the negative energy draining out, enabling me to breathe again.
The human rights concerns addressed in the IHRAM literary magazine are often complex and challenging to navigate. How do you navigate the balance between highlighting these challenges and maintaining a sense of hope or optimism in your writing?
There is a time to open a wound and there is a time to apply the healing balm. So I write, not only about the injustices that flood the human sphere but also about the joyous liberty that lies beyond acknowledging the persecution, sharing it appropriately, and bravely grasping the proffered help.
How do you personally connect with our mission? Particularly on the power of art and literature to influence social change, and our values of beauty as a fundamental creative principle, sincerity, vulnerability, celebrating diversity, and opening doorways of engagement.
To me, literature and art, speak of permanence in that the power of beauty inherent in the written word and the visual images is so profound that there is always a need to pass it on to the subsequent generation. And when the message woven in the visual or literary artwork influences social change, then we can be rest assured that many generations will be spared the injustices rampant during the writing period.
The IHRAM magazine aims to celebrate authors contending with their identities within the context of their environments. How does your environment influence your view of the world (your home country, city, and surrounding culture)?
Within the context of my environment, I see the world as a place where literature is confined to a very insignificant corner and those who delight in it are restricted admittance to higher realms where they can fly and do justice to their gifts. There is not much to spur you on to greater heights.
In comparison, how does your intersectionality influence your view of the world (your personal beliefs, gender expression, religious affiliations, etc.)?
I feel strongly that gifted people, including authors, should have places where they can fine-tune their art and be critiqued and inspired by their more experienced and successful peers. I would also be happy if we had publishing houses that work with authors who write novels, short stories and poetry. Here the publishing houses only want educational materials leaving the authors of non educational books to simply print the books with any printing company exactly as it is. The book may find itself on a book store’s shelf but the author's gift remains raw.
Support Activist Writers
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Support Activist Writers *
Read and enjoy all of Matrida’s previously published work:
"FROTH: My Battle with Low Self-Esteem", Self Published 2017
“IMPOSED NUPTIALS”, Writers Space Africa Magazine 2023
"PERVERT", Writer’s Space Africa Magazine (pg. 22) 2024
“THE IGNORED”, African Literature Today 2024
You can find Matrida on Facebook.
