Ituĩka

Volume 1 of the Ituika Literary Platform multilingual anthology brings together stories in 8 Kenyan Languages, with translations into English and Kiswahili published together in one volume. These original stories and their translations, each with its own unique form and content, cover a diverse range of themes. From workplace politics to mental health, illicit brews, the pandemic, the fluidity of borders, and family drama, these stories are sure to engage and captivate readers with their depth and variety. At the heart of this collection is literary translation in practice. Each translator takes their unique approach to both language and craft to deliver the most truthful and or creative translation of the original works. For the first time, Kenyans and readers around the world can read a story in three languages in one volume, a testament to the multilingual nature of African cultures.- Munyao Kilolo, Editor.

This anthology of translated short stories is a landmark effort on many fronts. It embodies the diversity of literary works in African languages and enriches our understanding of experiences on the continent from varied angles. Having worked with the translators in November 2021, I can confirm that the stories capture the aesthetic features of the source text and render them creatively in the target language. Where deviations from the original text are manifest, it is to enrich the reader's experience. Translations between African languages are urgent and worthwhile. I strongly recommend this book to those interested in African languages and in translation studies. - Kimani wa Njogu, Twaweza Communications, Nairobi.