Stephanie Wanga has invested in the study of African culture. More so, she believes in the importance of imaginative spaces for creatives. She speaks to Cheruto Rono about these.
Cheruto: According to your Twitter bio, your interests lie in African politics, African philosophies, African literature, African languages, African history, African law, and the arts in Africa. How have you managed to study all these facets of African societies and why did you choose to educate yourself on them?
Stephanie: It isn’t that I HAVE studied them (as in past tense) but that I DO study them. It’s hard for me to think of things in fixed, disciplinary ways because everything interacts with everything. So, I find that, for example, when I study about language in Africa, I end up learning about politics in Africa (and vice versa), and even about law.
So, I let that be! Which is why my Master’s was in African Studies – I wanted to study as much as I could about my continent without being limited to any field in particular. I’m also always distracted by art – so it is easy to study what distracts you. A lot of it has to be independent study too. I think I chose to study these things because my parents gave me a really exciting entry into Marachi/Wanga and Bukusu/Tachoni culture – their cultures – just by the things they surrounded me with – the music, the parties, the conversation – and it was something that made me incredibly curious about this continent we live in and what else it holds, which leads one to other things such as questions about power and possibility, and I don’t want to leave any of these things out of the equation – I study all of them.
Cheruto: For a minute there I was convinced that you were either a genius or an over-the-top multitasker or both! And what you’ve said rings true, especially the clarification that you study them even at present. Learning should never cease; we get a chance to educate ourselves on new concepts every day and we should never shy away from these lessons. We’re all students of life, after all.
But perhaps more importantly, we have to re-educate ourselves about what we have been conditioned to believe. In your studies, what has been your greatest unlearning about Africa?
Stephanie: There hasn’t been a single, great unlearning. I’m constantly unlearning, though the more appropriate term might just be simply learning because there is so much I had no clue about. So, I keep finding new angles to things, and other things suddenly become visible. I don’t want to pin it down to one thing but I’m just always learning – about the continent and about the world as it relates to the continent.
Cheruto: You have already mentioned your passion for art and creativity in general, and I believe that this path led you to working at GoDown Arts Centre. Tell me more about how you became a part of this centre.
Stephanie: I admired and still admire the work GoDown does, and they know I plan to go back to the GoDown in some capacity whenever I’m back home! As you know they’re building the first major arts and culture complex in Kenya since independence, and I want to be part of that. I want to always be part of the GoDown family. I don’t remember the specifics of how I happened to get in contact with one of the people there, but I know I reached out to them and told them I want to work for them in literally any capacity. I just wanted to be part of the space. I think we even made up a job description for my role there, and that was pretty much that.
Cheruto: Interesting! Where there’s a will there’s truly a way. And I do echo your sentiments about GoDown, it is a space for creatives by creatives, and the work that Joy Mboya is spearheading is awe-inspiring. She is running so that we can walk. So, did your time at GoDown set you on the path of writing and storytelling? And if not, how did you get your start in this field?
Stephanie: No, I went to the GoDown because I wanted to explore a broader range of art than I had been doing. So, in a way, I went to the GoDown to do more than write. I started to paint because the GoDown was full of the most incredible painters, and they made me just want to play with colour. Painting really gives me joy, maybe because I do it purely for the sake of it – I do it for fun, and there are very few things I do purely for fun–and that was by design. I made the things I enjoy the things I study or get paid for–and don’t get me wrong, I love that. Painting, though–that’s just for me!
As for how I got started with writing, it was because of my sister. I thought all my sisters, really, were incredible. But this one, Yvonne, I used to watch her all the time! (Also, because my other siblings were always away from home). She would write long, long stories by hand. I thought it was the coolest thing. I got on the computer to write mine, though. And I found myself spending five, six, seven, hours, getting lost in story. And here I am, still getting lost in story.
Cheruto: Your relationship with painting is an interesting concept; it’s a great reminder that not everything and not all the art we create has to be consumed by the public. I doubt that there are any creative pursuits that I have considered in such light, but this definitely makes me want to take up some art form purely for creative release.
You’ve obviously come a long way from your humble beginnings of writing simply to emulate your big sister. No doubt this shared passion strengthened your relationship, but I’m also curious about how writing has brought you closer to your readers. How do you think your stories have positively impacted your audience?
Stephanie: Hmmm I don’t know – you’ll have to ask them!
Also, I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of the number and kind of stories I want to put out there. Barely. I’m only just beginning.
Cheruto: Fair enough.
I’m excited to see where this journey leads you so I am cheering you on, as I’m sure many others who love your stories are surely doing. We’ve spoken a bit about your writing, but you are an editor as well. The third issue of Lolwe comes out this year for which you are the guest editor. What has this experience been like for you?
Stephanie: It’s been so strange to be on the other end of things. You start to really see the mechanics of storytelling. The writers that were selected for this edition are also super talented, and so I am learning a lot from them and seeing all these interesting possibilities for how one can choose to talk about a thing. I’m also trying not to stifle the writers I’m working with, and let them have the final say on what things will look like. I’m just a bit of a cheerleader who regularly debates them, to be honest. So I’ll fight them but let them win. It’s a strange thing, but writing, in the end, must belong to the writer.
Cheruto: Having the editorial experience that you now possess, what’s your best advice for emerging African writers who are working on their stories for submission to literary platforms?
Stephanie: Don’t write anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.
Cheruto: And finally, what are you currently reading? And which are some of the books you would highly recommend?
Stephanie: Currently reading The Death of Vivek Oji. I’d recommend anything by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and Aminatta Forna.
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