Riddles of My Mother

Riddles of my Mother is a poetry collection that tells the African story through the eyes of a young Kenyan poet.

The reader is exposed to stories and riddles, poetically woven, to create a hunger in the reader's eyes. Tales are universal: war, poverty, peace, love, hate, knowledge; diverse topics that define humanity are reflected in these simple poems.

What others say:

"In Riddles of my Mother Tabalia takes your mind to the disturbing days of adolescence in an African setting, even as the subjects are universal. Wondering where all the curiosity and latitudinarian thoughts have gone? Rediscover them in this collection of poems! Let Tabalia take you to the fields of politics, nature, life & love, arts, justice, relationships, religion: always meandering between the old and the new, modernity and tradition. Having experienced both -rural and urban life in Kenya- he lends you his open, observing eyes to see. As diverse as his themes is his lyrical style: from an ironical tone to impressively strong images, this young poet is not afraid to try his pen at multiple forms of expression."

"A very auspicious debut that will leave you hungry for more!" - Anna Jaeger, Berlin/Germany

"A Creatively entertaining volume that takes the reader through a cultural Journey riddled with images of what life is. Riddles of My Mother honours African poetry in a way that most contemporary African poetry lacks. Written in simple and engaging language, this volume will leave the reader yearning for more. Tabalia's creativity proves that poetry is not only educative but entertaining." -Phideis Kendie, Performing Poet & Kenyatta University Literature student

About the Author

Amos Marcel Nyongesa Tabalia was born in Trans Nzoia in 1985. He was educated in Webuye Town, Friends School Kamusinga and joined Kenyatta University in 2006 to study engineering.

It was while in primary school that he fell in love with literature. His passion for the arts was evident in high school, where he started a readers club that focused students' appreciation forlanguage and current affairs. He is an avid reader with a mantra: 'To write, read'.

Amos is a talented poet with works capturing themes from various social, political and economical challenges facing Kenyan youth. His poetry tries to merge African culture and western influence; and crosses borders, exploring the universe. His artistic styles are highly influenced by his childhood experiences, tribal clashes, poverty, wealth, love, education, history, religion etc. Tribalism is also one thing that haunted his childhood and corruption are some of the issues that are greatly reflected in his poetry.

He is a founding member of Poetwise Kenya, a performer and a critic at the Amka Space Of women writers.