The Okot P’Bitek Prize for Poetry in Translation, a one-off award for emerging African poets administered by the Centre for African Cultural Excellence (CACE), aims to award poets who write in African indigenous languages and translate their works. CACE seeks to celebrate bi-linguality and self-translation by African poets.
To apply for the award, you must be a resident African emerging poet who is yet to publish a full collection of poetry. You must be living in African Union listed African countries, even those suspended. Submit your work by email to info@writivism.com as attachments. You must label the email subject as 2016 Okot P’Bitek Prize Submission. Include in the body of the email your information such as age, name — including pen name, country of residence, and telephone contact. No revision of entries shall be accepted after submission.
2016 Okot P’Bitek Prize Submission Guidelines
You’re to submit five unpublished poems (5) in English and the original African indigenous language in one document, Microsoft Word or Rich Text formats (NO PDF) in Times New Roman 12 point font and 1.5 line spacing with black font color. Save the file with your full name. Your document should include a cover page, an index of the poem titles and all five poems should have a title.
Shortlisted poets will be contacted. They will also be required to send in a biography and a portrait photograph for use in print, electronic and online media.
The prize judging panel comprises of Chair Duduzile Mabaso, Juliane Okot Bitek and Toni Stuart. The winners of the prize shall be announced at The Writivism Festival in Kampala, scheduled for August 22 – 28, 2016. The prize amount is $500 and the winner will also have an option of attending a one-month writing residency at a soon to be announced African university. Direct any question to info@writivism.com.