‘And so our mothers and grandmothers have,
more often than not
anonymously handed on the creative spark,
the seed of the flower
they themselves never hoped to see
or like a sealed letter
they could not plainly read.’
– Alice Walker
The publication of the 6th issue of The Ipikai Poetry Journal comes just after the end of our celebration of Women’s Month in March. This presents Zimbabwean poets with yet another opportunity to celebrate womanhood in all its diversity.
Womanhood extends across time, space and culture and yet so many women’s stories remain untold.
In many narratives, we see women’s lives being depicted as revolving around the struggle to survive, the struggle to be seen and the struggle to be valued.
This is the ultimate paradox, considering the role women play in so many aspects of life.
Beyond physically giving birth, generations of women past and present have placed the needs of others first, empathising with them, uplifting them, and making it possible for many other wild and wonderful things to be born.
While holding fort in this area of nurturing life, dreams and hopes, women have also stepped forward into the arenas of politics, business, the arts, and other areas of life.
These are women we meet and talk to every day, but, for many of them, no poem, song, or story will ever have their names.
They will remain hidden from the eye until someone with a voice speaks for them and sings their praises. According to Tillie Olsen, ‘There is so much unwritten that needs to be written.’
In 2008, when Zimbabwe experienced an economic meltdown, the worst in living memory, women’s entrepreneurial skills played a significant role in keeping the economy afloat.
At every juncture of our history, women have been at the core of keeping our society grounded and stable.
Consequently, women’s lives, their works and their deeds need to be acknowledged and celebrated.
In this first issue of 2024, Ipikai invites Zimbabwean poets to submit their poems on the theme of womanhood.
Bring us your images of women as creators, teachers, carers, healers, counsellors, lovers, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, survivors, nurturers, defenders, champions, leaders, dreamers, providers, friends, activists and heroines; flawed, victorious, tenacious, unyielding, broken, mended, and strong.
Ethel Kabwato
ISSUE 6 EDITOR
How to Submit Your Work
Submission instructions are given on this page.