The Writers' Association of The Gambia (WAG) has organized Gambia Literature Day to celebrate the life, times, and writings of national literary giant Madam Juka Fatou Jabang. The event will take place at the West African International School's conference room on September 26. Writers, authors, students, academics, literary scholars, and top government functionaries will attend the ceremony.
The event will feature several speakers, including Dr. Cherno Omar Barry, president of the WAG, who will deliver the welcoming and introductory statement. Juka F. Jabang herself will deliver the keynote address, while Dr. Pierre Gomez, the Minister of Higher Education, and Muhammed S. Juwara, the secretary general of WAG, will also speak. The program will include readings of excerpts from Jabang's works, a question-and-answer session, spoken word poetry performances, and a panel discussion.
Madam Juka F. Jabang is a trailblazing Gambian educator, poet, author, and public and international civil servant. Born in Banjul, Juka earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone through a government scholarship in the 1970s. She further attained postgraduate certifications from institutions like Glasgow Caledonian University and the International Monetary Fund.
As a writer, Jabang is one of the first Gambian women to publish major poetry collections. Her landmark anthologies, including "The Repeal and Other Poems" and "The Phoenix," use rich figurative language to confront hard-hitting themes such as gender inequality, traditional practices, and societal injustice. Her works have been extensively studied from basic education levels to university lecture halls.
Jabang has served in national and international public sectors for over four decades. Her roles have included director general of the Management Development Institute and the first Gambian female advisor to the executive director of the African Development Bank. Locally, she is known purely for her literary works, which are widely acclaimed.
The event aims to honor Jabang's legacy and inspire the next generation of Gambian writers. The program will feature book signing by Jabang and other activities. Relatives and colleague writers will also pay tribute to her. The celebration is a testament to Jabang's significant contributions to Gambian literature.
Jabang draws inspiration from famed literary figures around the world, such as Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson, as well as pioneer Gambian women writers like Lady Augusta Jawara and Janet Young. Her works continue to be widely studied and acclaimed, and the celebration will recognize her achievements as a literary giant in Gambia.
Key points
- The Writers' Association of The Gambia is hosting Gambia Literature Day to honor Juka Jabang's life and works.
- Juka Jabang is a renowned Gambian author, poet, and educator known for her contributions to Gambian literature.
- The event aims to inspire the next generation of Gambian writers and honor Jabang's legacy.
