Mutabaruka---Dis Poem

 

Mutabaruka is a dub poet. His name comes from the Rwandan language and translates as "one who is always victorious". He lives in Potosi District, St. James with his significant other, Yvonne, and their two children. Mutabaruka continues to perform and write poems on every issue known to man. He's known for his expressions and lively performances more so than just the poems themselves. Some of his themes include sexism, politics, discrimination, poverty, race, and especially religion. Mutabaruka's stylistic form is in a way pathos related. He uses stories and experiences to get readers to think about issues in ways that they wouldn't normally think about them.

Known as Allen Hope as a child, Mutabaruka grew up in the Jamaica with his mother, father and two sisters. When Mutabaruka was only 8, his father died from unknown causes. He attended primary school where he received his nickname, "Mutabaruka". Later, he attended the Kingston Technical High School where he trained in electronics for four years. Muta then began finding himself within his early to late teenage years. In the late 60's into early 70's there was an up roaring of Black Awareness in Jamaica during Prime Minister Michael Manley leadership. Muta, who was in his late teens at the time, was drawn into that movement. In school he read many "progressive books" including Eldredge Cleaver's “Soul on Ice” and some that were then illegal in Jamaica, such as The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Mutabaruka envisioned himself as a young revolutionary. While still employed at the Telephone Company, stopped wearing shoes, he stopped combing his hair, started growing locks, and altered his diet. During his time at the Jamaica Telephone Company Ltd, Muta began examining and surrounding himself with the Rasta lifestyle. He found it meaningful and worth living for. Soon after, he converted completely to the movement.