STORYMOJA

Writer Oluoch Madiang

Oluoch Madiang is the author of the new title In the Land of the Kitchen from Storymoja under the Storyhippo Imprint. The story is an extraordinary narration using kitchen utensils to explain how conflict begins, how it affects all of us and how we can possibly deal with it. The book has been designed with fun questions and activities that can help children, parents and other adults who love them to discuss and explore ways of preserving peace even when conflict arises.

The story initially won the Storymoja Story of the year in the Nyamachoma Fiesta of December 2007. Storymoja then undertook to publish it in a format suitable for kids. The theme of the story now seems timely in the aftermath of the Post Election Crisis in Kenya at the beginning of 2008.

So what inspires the writer who is an author of other stories and plays? He says, “My writing is inspired by a desire to chronicle human experiences and help people see the foolishness of some of their beliefs and actions. This way, I seek to help people take a look at themselves and adopt a new way of looking at things. My mum and dad told us stories but never recorded them in writing. Dad was very particular with books, so I love books because of him. I write so that others too have a chance to treasure books.”

Oluoch remembers sweet times with his mum, Rebecca Akumu, who while preparing ndengu and Chapo, would regale him and his siblings with stories of how she and Oluoch’s uncle Caleb were sent by their grandfather to collect sheep from some far off village. It was a long journey! As they were coming back late in the evening and the clouds threatening to open up, the sheep refused to move! You know sheep! But that’s not the crux of the matter! Down in Uyoma Ndigwa, hyenas (and other wild animals) still used to prowl. So mum would be pushing and beating the sheep while uncle pulled with all his strength as several hyenas laughed in the twilight in readiness to pounce. Mum and Uncle never wavered, nor feared and succeeded in finally taking the sheep to the village. From this Oluoch and his siblings learnt that when trouble, hyena or otherwise, cometh, stand up to it and face it eyeball-to eyeball without fear.

Oluoch is clearly inspired by his mum and Dad. He remembers his mother bringing a book from Dala called Ahero Dhowa. His dad reads well and has a very good command of English, and he read to the young Oluoch the Rapunzel and Cinderella stories, leaving fond memories in Oluoch’s mind. Oluoch’s dad used to buy  him other storybooks, too.

Something that might have contributed to the creation of the story In the Land of the Kitchen, was an experience working as a volunteer feeding the displaced during the clashes in the early 90’s. Humbling and intriguing was the realisation that most of those people did not know why they were in a fight with people whom they have lived with for generations.

Oluoch feels that it is important for writers to whet the reading appetite of reader’s if Kenyans and East African are to read more. It is important for writers to write good and interesting materials, and for publishers to publish at a world class standard. Oluoch is now convinced that he must write the story of his mother and Uncle Caleb and the Sheep and Hyenas.

Oluoch is currently writing, all at once, an adult short story, a play and two children’s stories.  You can look at some of his work at www.madiang.blogspot.com

In the land of the Kitchen is available in stores and supermarkets as well as for online purchase on www.mamamikes.com