, published in 1994, is the first in a series of books that look back on Brathwaite’s life and work, identifying influences and key experiences that shaped his poetry and thinking. It was followed by

(1999),

(2002), and

(2002). Part autobiography and part poetic manifesto,

is centred on the poet’s childhood in Barbados, his family, his life as a student in Cambridge, as well as his years working for the Ministry of Education in Ghana and the revolution in his poetic vision which the encounter with Africa engendered. In addition to the autobiographical narrative, Brathwaite uses his poetry up to

(1982) to illustrate the interplay of memory and poetic vision.

Barabajan Poems started life as a

1846 words

Citation: Otto, Melanie. "Barabajan Poems". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 May 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=32309, accessed 25 November 2024.]