Harambee: Orality in Motion

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Harambee: Orality in Motion is the culminating event of a two-day celebration honoring the life and legacy of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a towering figure in world literature and global cultural history. Renowned for his lifelong commitment to decolonization through language, storytelling, and cultural reclamation, Ngũgĩ’s work has profoundly reshaped understandings of identity, power, and liberation.

Taking place in the William Gillespie Dance Studio 1100, Harambee—a Swahili term meaning “Let’s Pull Together”—is a vibrant, participatory experience that blends music, dance, and embodied philosophy. The space is designed to welcome all levels of engagement, whether seated or standing, inviting attendees to move, listen, and reflect.

The event features acclaimed Kenyan singer/songwriter Kwame Rĩgĩĩ, whose evocative performances center memory and cultural reclamation. Visual artist Sela Adjei presents a dynamic montage that brings Ngũgĩ’s philosophy to life, weaving together elements from his novels, plays, polemical writings, and his time in Orange County.
Choreographers Cyrian Reed and S. Ama Wray shape the movement of Harambee, set to an original composition by Rah Hite, performed live by master drummer Nani Agbeli. The performance builds toward an immersive African dance and song experience led by embodied philosopher Nii Armah Sowah, where everyone is invited to move—no prior experience required.
This event centers Ngũgĩ’s vision, advocating for African and other indigenous languages as vital to cultural memory, resistance, and liberation. It is a celebration of orality as a living, breathing force—one that connects communities, histories, and futures.

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