Asenath Bole Odaga Explained

Asenath Bole Odaga
Birth Date:5 July 1938
Birth Place:Rarieda, Kenya
Death Place:Kisumu, Kenya
Occupation:Author, publisher
Education:Alliance Girls High School
Alma Mater:University of Nairobi
Parents:Blasto Akumu Aum and Patricia Abuya Abok

Asenath Bole Odaga (5 July 1938 – 1 December 2014) was a Kenyan publisher and author of novels, plays, children's books, and other literary works. Odaga also promoted literature in Kenyan languages and the study of oral literature by writing in Luo and co-authoring a guide to oral literature for students.[1] [2]

Biography

Born in Rarieda, Kenya, on 5 July 1938,[3] Asenath Bole Odaga was educated at Alliance Girls High School and University of Nairobi.[4] At the University of Nairobi, Odaga submitted a thesis for the Master of Arts degree: Educational Values of "Sigendeni Luo": The Kenya Luo Oral Narratives.[5]

In 1982, Odaga founded Lake Publishers, becoming the first female publisher in Kenya. She would later open the Thu-Thinda bookstore in Kisumu.[6] She founded the Kenya Women Literature Group in 1986, with the intention of developing works in Kenyan languages by and for women.[7]

Odaga also wrote books for children, saying: "I thought that children should have something to read about their own background and the other children they know, real African heroes with whom they can identify" These stories often focus on the daily life of children.[8]

Asenath Bole Odaga died in Kisumu on 1 December 2014.[9]

Legacy

Odaga was listed by the Daily Nation as one of the writers having the most impact on Kenyan society.[10] Her work has been cited as an influence on Kenyan novelist Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor.[11]

Published works

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Asenath Odaga: Matriach who bequeathed us rich literature and sense of belonging. Ndago-Kabira. Abnea. Kenya Standard Digital / SDE.CO.KE. 2015-05-28. 14 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181114141514/https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2000143792/asenath-odaga-matriach-who-bequeathed-us-rich-literature-and-sense-of-belongin. dead.
  2. Amuka. Peter. 1985. Oral Literature: A School Certificate Course (Book Review. 3819137. Research in African Literatures. 16. 3. 430–31.
  3. 1937 is the birth year given on the Asenath Bole Odaga website (https://www.asenathboleodaga.com/her-story), although 1937 is cited by others.
  4. Book: Odaga. Asenath Bole. Educational Value of "Sigendeni Luo": The Kenya Luo Oral Narratives. 1980. University of Nairobi. February 2, 2018.
  5. News: Asenath Bole Odaga :The queen of folklore. Kabale. Nasibo. November 17, 2017. Evewoman (Kenya Standard). July 10, 2018.
  6. Pugliese. Cristiana. Kenyan Publishers in Vernacular Languages: Gikuyu, Kikamba and Dholuo . 1994. . 49. 2. 250–259. 40760883.
  7. Osaki. Lillian Temu. January 1, 2003. African children's literature: a scholar's guide. University of Dar Es Salaam Library Journal. 5. 1. 67–79. 10.4314/udslj.v5i1.26595. 0856-1818. free.
  8. News: Literary lioness Asenath Bole Odaga closes her chapter at 83. Business Daily. 4 December 2014. 2018-11-14. en-UK.
  9. Web site: Are these Kenya's finest writers?. Sigei . Julius . June 1, 2013 . Daily Nation.
  10. Web site: Women who inspired my writing. Owuor . Yvonne Adhiambo . November 29, 2013 . . May 29, 2015.
  11. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Dholuo-English Dictionary . 2005 . Lake Publishers & Enterprises . en.
  12. Book: Odaga, Asenath . The Villager's Son . 1971 . Lake Publishers & Enterprises . 978-0-435-92501-7 . en.
  13. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Thu Tinda: Stories from Kenya . 1980 . Uzima Press . en.
  14. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Ogilo nungo piny kirom . 1983 . East African Publishers.
  15. Book: Odaga, Asenath . The Secret of the Monkey Rock . 1966 . Nelson . en.
  16. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Luo Sayings . 1994 . Lake Publishers & Enterprises Limited . en.
  17. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Something for Nothing . 2001 . Lake Publishers and Enterprises . 978-9966-847-86-7 . en.
  18. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Mogen jabare . 2003 . Lake Publishers & Enterprises . 978-9966-847-87-4.
  19. Book: Odaga, Asenath . Nyangi gi Otis . 2004 . Lake Publishers & Enterprises . 978-9966-847-93-5.
  20. Web site: Asenath Bole Odaga. Literary Map of Africa. Ohio State University Libraries. February 2, 2018.