Gabriel Okara

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Gabriel Imomotimi Gbaingbain Okara is a Nigerian writer. He was born in Bomoundi in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in April 1921. He is a poet and novelist; his novel The Voice was published by Heinemann in the African Writers Series. The Voice is one of the most memorable works of fiction written by an African writer, with the protagonist, Okolo, being hunted (by society) and haunted (by his own ideals).

Okara has written many poems, the most famous of which is "Piano and Drums."

Okara may be described as highly original and uninfluenced by other poets. In 1979 he was awarded the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. He has been extremely successful in capturing the moods, sights and sounds of Africa. His poems show great sensitivity, perceptive judgements and a tremendous energy. Okara also shows a concern regarding what happens when the ancient culture of Africa is faced with modern western culture, for example in his poem, 'Once Upon a Time'.

[edit] Writing

Okara's many books include:

The Fisherman's Invocation, (African Writers Series, No.183) Heinemann (1978), ISBN 0435901834. Winner of the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, 1979.
The Voice, (African Writers Series, No.68).
The Dreamer, His Vision (poems). Port Harcourt, Nigeria: University of Port Harcourt Press, 2005. Winner of the NLNG Nigerian Literature Prize, 2005.

He also wrote the poem 'Once Upon A Time', a poem which can be reflected onto present society, and has been published in the Edexcel GCSE anthology

[edit] Further reading

Mark Willhardt, Who's Who in 20th Century World Poetry, Routledge (2001), ISBN 0415163552 - p.237.
Eldred Ibibiem Green, Gabriel Okara: The Man and His Art. Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Onyoma

Research Publications, 2007.