Unlocking the Wisdom of African Languages: A Guide into its Storytelling and Podcasting

As a participant who has been a speaker twice online and attended the Afros and Audio Festival both virtually and physically, I'm consistently amazed by the wealth of knowledge exchanged and the rapid learning and unlearning that takes place during this festival. The diversity of ideas shared, podcasting or meet up sessions is truly mind-blowing. It's an authentic family affair minus the barbeque cookout in my opinion.

As a podcaster from the Diaspora hosting the “Sambaza Podcast”, I am deeply passionate about how we narrate our African stories. I firmly believe stories should come from the source, rather than being mediated by someone else. In our session, we will explore how Africans tell our own stories from an authentic African perspective. We will delve into our unique nuances and discuss our expectations for projecting and educating our audience. Our goal is for listeners to experience the depth and complexity of African podcast stories, which often contain unexpected twists and layers.

Panel Speakers

Over the years, I’ve observed that African languages are rich with wise sayings and proverbs, and sometimes refer to concepts or names that convey meanings beyond the literal. For newcomers to African storytelling or podcasting, understanding these elements can be challenging. However, by the end of our session, we aim to clarify these nuances and encourage interaction, so listeners can gain insight into the meanings behind certain words and expressions.

Let’s not forget the physical, emotional, and mental cues that African podcasters project to their audience. These are integral to our storytelling and serve as artifacts that represent our culture to you, the consumer.

This year, I am privileged to be attending the festival both as a speaker and ambassador of Afros and Audio Festival. I have teamed up with a diverse group of podcastors across Africa namely Paula Mulamula of “Talk Shit with P”, Rokhaya A.K.A Nani of “ PodinHealing ”, Zenith Hamaamba of “ Assorted Immigrant Stories”, DR Claire Murigande of “ Narrative of Purpose ” and Raphael Harry of “ White Label American”  to present an awesome session. As a Diasporan podcaster originally from Kenya, I warmly invite you: “KARIBU!!!” (Welcome) to our session.

Sambazza

Sambaza, a Kenyan immigrant, is deeply passionate about podcasting and public speaking. As he delves into the art of podcasting and explores its many facets, he draws on his experiences as a diasporan and Pan-Africanist to create unique content. His dedication has earned him three nominations for Diasporan Podcaster of the Year. Additionally, Sambaza actively collaborates with other podcasters and collectives, continuously enhancing his skills as a creator.