Back to Issue Eight.

Am I Not a Relative

BY TINASHE MUCHURI

Bantu migration saw me south of the Sahara.
They gave me a language, Shangani!
Nguni incursion saw me retreating to North.
I settled with the Manica.
They gave me a language, Ndau!
Circumstances saw me following the sun.
I settled in Masvingo south of Zimbabwe.
They gave me a language, Karanga!
I went to South Africa for work.
They gave me a name, mukwerekwere!
A good for nothing person.
Am I?
Am I not a relative?

Emma Kemp is a writer and artist based in Los Angeles where she teaches at Otis College of Art & Design. Emma is one half of artist-duo Earl Gravy, as well as a co-founder of the publishing platform WhichWitchLA. She is currently at work on a book of biographical cultural criticism that traces the life and work of musician Conor Oberst. Follow her @e_e_kemp.

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