We recently connected with Pobee Mwintombo and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Pobee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Performance Poetry is not something the people around me readily understands and accepts.

When I was getting into that space, I was greatly misunderstood and mischaraterized.

There were times when my family had to call me in to say so so and so has come to ask them if I was having a mental challenge and that is not, I should be asked to stop dressing the way I did and just be normal.

When I rehearsed my lines publicly, I was labelled a lunatic. At a point, some members of my extended family began to also agree that I was challenged mentally and instead of being bound at home in one place, my family allowed me to roam about freely causing shame to the name of the family.

Years down the line, these same people speak of how proud they are of me. I’ve learnt that in any pursuit of man, there will be nay-sayers. But if we persist, it will always make the difference.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

“I have spoken, may my words never be broken. He who has an ear, let him hear, and liberate his soul from fear.”

These are my closing lines before I exit the stage.

I am Pobee Mwintombo Joseph; a Ghanaian performance poet and oral traditionalist. I am also a composer and a storyteller. I have featured in several regional, national and international events.

Renowned for my brand, Mwintombo Poetry, I am the originator of the artistic expression “POETODRAMA” which is a blend of poetry fused with drama and uniquely curated rhythms.

Steeped in the traditions of my homeland, I blend the ancient rhythms of our culture with the pulsating beats of contemporary expression. My art is a unifier; a celebration of diversity, a testament to the power of words and imagery to bridge the gaps between cultures and forge connections that transcend geographical borders. My craftsmanship is a telling witness of our collective humanity and an ode to the indomitable spirit of the Ghanaian people; a tribute to the resilience that fuels creativity even in the face of adversity. I am passionate about culture, women and children. My artistry is geared towards Co-creating a world of harmony where all people will live loveably and peaceably.

My inspiration, as a creative, is drawn from the things around me; people, places, food success, failure, government, chieftancy, work, relationships, children, human rights, amongst a plethora of others. My inspiration has come from many sources; the good, the bad, the ugly and perhaps, the worst! My pursuit of this artistry path initially began as a childhood dream. But growing up and being faced with all the harsh realities of our society, I began to get confirmations within my spirit-man more and more that my artistry was not just a dream or desire, but rather, a calling and a mandate; that this is what I was made for.

Today, as a reasonable service, my brand, Mwintombo Poetry, produces literary works and renders other poetic performance services to individuals, corporations and organizations. Our subsidiary initiative Literati Creations, offers children and youth the opportunity to play, learn, create and share. They are guided through creative writing performance acts such as drama, poetry, singing, dancing and drumming. They are also taught public speaking skills and audience management. We also do cultural exchanges of ideas and individuals.

The Rhythms of Africa; a poetic journey into native Africa, is my debut audio album of soul poetry. It is a 12 + 1 audio album of uplifting soul poetry. It featured afro-pop sensation, Wiyaala.

Hakila Zoomba Rhythms is my first published book. I also write rhymes and the verses for children. Famous among them is the viral Hakila Zoomba chant and dance.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As I said earlier comm, spoken word or poetry was not something that the people around me already or immediately understood.

So when I started my journey, I was labeled a lazy person, a deviant and even a persona non grata. I recount bitter memories of how some people that I knew were family or close affinity, had to distance themselves from me because of my appearance and choosing to tow this line of spoken word poetry and oral tradition.

So besides not getting acceptance and recognition from my own friends, I had to face the challenge of performing at events and gatherings and getting no reward whatsoever from it.

True, I had needs to meet financially. I felt I needed to be paid for the services that I rendered unto people but that was not fault coming.

But with a spirit of resilience and idealism, I kept on doing my thing and perceiving what I believed I was meant for. Today, it has made all the difference in my life. For me, this is a story of resilience.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist or creative, my works have a endeared me to many people home and abroad. I have been able to meet with people, or been to places through this craft that I feel I will not have been able to do if I was not a creative or an artist.

But above all, the most rewarding thing for me as an artist is that, I’m proud of the man I am now and the man I am becoming.

I beam with smiles and contentment when I watch back on my writings, when I listen to my audios and watch some of my poetry videos particularly with my family. I could not have any appreciative of my self.

When I hear children sing my songs or chant my name, reciting my poems and bragging about how they know me, I feel honored.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tomboorature.com
• Facebook: Pobee Mwintombo
• Youtube: Pobee Mwintombo

Image Credits

Beckon Studious, Anaconda Photography, Mugaga Pixels, Steward Reign Photography