Elsaphan Njora Thrills With His Show A Dance Of Words

I have never been to an Elsaphan Njora show. I mean, sure, I have attended Eve of Poetry a couple of times and witnessed  the guy’s Mcing skills, but that is about it. So when I learnt I’d be attending A Dance Of Words; I was excited and nervous at the same time.

Excited because the first time you do something it ought to be an exciting experience, otherwise it’s not worth bothering with. Nervous  because when a Kenyan artist charges Kenya Shillings 1,500 for a solo show (advance tickets mind you); a lot is at stake, and bearing in mind that I had never been to a Njora show, I worried if he’d be able to give people value for their money. Let’s just say I was nervous for him- one artist to another. But I should have saved my nerves for someone that needed them.

#ADanceOfWords, staged last Tuesday evening at the Kenya National theatre was one of the best things I have experienced this year. The show started on time with one Kendi Nkonge leading the national anthem and  inflicting goose bumps while at it, before Njora led by a duo of male dancers took to the stage.

I was prepared for an evening of ‘deep’ poetry and absent stares into space but Njora took the title of his show literally. The man danced. Actually, if I am being honest, when he broke out into dance, I was surprised then elated. Either that man can move, or he has a really good choreographer, or both…listen, his dancing is good, okay? And then, like the dancing was not enough, (with exquisite oratory skills) he spoke words that moved.

A Dance Of Words was a history lesson; Njora’s personal history (with special mention to the man he is named after) and national history- I had no idea that the Mau Mau were originally known as KLF*. It was a night of fun (because like any great artist, Njora realises that it does not matter how much fun the artist is having if the audience is bored). It was an insight on love, one that did not feel like a cliche pile of words wrapped in sweetness. It was a night of sensory heaven thanks to Kendi Nkonge’s vocals (But that girl can sing!!). It was a wake up call, to compete with self; not to be the best but to always be better for to chase after the ‘best’ is a goal in futility.

Look, it was a great show. Njora’s parents showed up which is such an inspiring thing in a country that barely recognises art as a decent source of income. But it would have been greater if turnout was better, and if you were interested in showing up for #ADanceOfWords because you worried you wouldn’t get your money’s worth.

Njora is launching a book on the 15th of December, to commemorate 10 years since he organised his first poetry gig, Eve of Poetry.

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