Okot p’Bitek

Okot p'Bitek (Source: English Wikipedia) On 19 July 1982, Ugandan poet, novelist, and social anthropologist Okot p’Bitek died in Kampala at the age of 51. His three verse collections - Song of Lawino (1966), Song of Ocol (1970), and Two Songs (1971) - are considered to be among the best African poetry in print.

Okot p'Bitek was born on 7 June 1931 in Gulu, in the North Uganda grasslands. As a young man, he had various interests; he published a novel in the Acholi language, composed an opera based on traditional songs, and played on the Ugandan national football team. p'Bitek was educated at the University of Bristol in England (certificate in education), University College of Wales at Aberystwyth (bachelor of law), and the Institute of Social Anthropology at Oxford (degree in social anthropology).

After having taught at Makerere University in Kampala (1964-1966), he served as director of Uganda’s National Theatre and National Cultural Centre (1966–68). Becoming unpopular with the Ugandan government, he then took various teaching posts outside Uganda.

p'Bitek 's first collection of poetry, 'Song of Lawino', was originally written in the Acholi. It deals with the tribulations of a rural African wife whose husband has taken up urban life and wishes everything to be westernised. This publication was followed by 'Song of Ocol', the husband’s response. In addition to writing poetry, p’Bitek produced several books on Acholi culture.

(Source: Wikipedia)