Interview with Batsirai Chigama, Zimbabwean Poet
Batsirai E. Chigama is a Zimbabwean performance poet and short story writer. She has traveled extensively in Southern Africa performing at festivals, and her poetry has appeared in 5 poetry anthologies to date. In the following interview with fellow poet Tinashe Muchuri, Chigama talks about her art. Tinashe Muchuri: Do you have a work ethic as a poet? Batsirai Chigama: Read extensively, find time to critique myself before others do, keep writing. TM: Besides poetry writing and performing, what other special talent do you possess? BC: Give me an apron and good working oven any day: I love baking. TM: What is your source of inspiration? BC: Conversations with people, reading something or just silence—it has a way of speaking loudly to me. TM: In how many poetry anthologies does your poetry appear? BC: Five so far: State of the Nation, Conversation Paperpress, UK, 2009 Whispers in the Whirlwind , Mensa Press, USA, 2010 Defiled Sacredness , Mensa Press, USA,