Literary award distinguishing African Narratives and Creatives.
About UMDALA
(formerly Poet Laureate)
Umdala is an honorary position conferred by Creatives and Community members (Tribesmen) as a creative institution and literary society.
The Umdala Award is our biggest event as a literary society and is projected to be the most recognized literary award in Africa. Highlighting creative works from the depth of Africa’s shores, this is a season for us to bring to the fore Africa’s most outspoken and impactful creatives.
We work to ensure that true African stories are told from time to time. We publish African Poetry and Prose pieces creating more publications to contain and sustain original stories.
Culture + Literature
As a community, we believe cultural awareness and the realization of the beauty in diversity can strengthen African communities and Narratives, and we bring that consciousness forward through the Umdala Award.
The Umdala Masterclass
To make our fifth year on this journey, we will be having fireside chats with experts in diverse industries to serve as a moment for writers to reflect, gain clarity and above all things learn new things.
New Release
THE UKABUILU ANTHOLOGY
On Ụkabụilu African storytellers explore language, art, the depth of metaphorical understanding, and the Igbo culture. They bring forth unique stories that are spirit-lifting and depict originality.
Umdala (formerly Poet Laureate) 2021
Ụkabụilu (Parables)
Parables are major elements in the African language as replicated in African literature. Parables are a lot like mythology but mostly deal with moral lessons rather than answering questions of origins. They elevate the language and create depth in understanding.
The Igbo proverbs and parables are used to teach wisdom and how to view life. How to strive in situations and make decisions.
Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten.
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart.
"Reading through these pieces, you are bound to feel a deeper connection with the writer's choice of words and immense love for the African culture"
Damilola Ojikutu
Editor, Umdala
Event Policy & Procedure
TVOTRIBE’s Umdala Award was started in December 2018 by Victoria Olajide as a means of sustaining creative energy within the collective creative space. Over time, we have been able to transcend from a simple competition to a recognized literary award.
- Event Theme is released 5 days prior to entry collection.
- Entries are received 50 days prior to the review period. All entries must be sent in before midnight on the last day stated.
- Entries can be submitted in four categories; poetry, prose, spoken word poetry (audio), visual art (photography included).
- Visual art entries will not be included in the competition category but will feature on the event page and website.
- Collected entries are sent to the reviewers (Voluntary readers) via the editor in a general document.
- Entries are reviewed anonymously.
- Shortlisted entries are submitted to the judges for selection. A winner in each category is selected.
- Voting begins after Shortlisted entrants are released and end with the winner’s announcement.
- Review period is about 21 days from the Umadala Award Winner announcement.
- Within 50 days from the Award Winner announcement, TVOTRIBE will forward prizes, compensation, and post-event reports to all associated bodies.
Our Method
We take strong metaphors from a selected tribe and use this as the theme for collecting submissions. Creative works in line with this theme are selected and sent to readers, then a list of appointed judges. This is then shortlisted to a winner in each category, followed by voting to select the overall winner.
This movement seeks to push cultural narratives forward to promote research and interest in African cultures and works. This way we inform, teach and sustain African literature and cultural narratives.
- The event ends with an Anthology; a collective, including all featured works from the competition, an address from the winner, and selected works from the Editor.
Umadala 2021 Winner
Udo
UDO is a Nigerian pseudonymous Artist and writer. He was born and raised at Umualikpa Village II in Isiala Mbano, Imo State, the oldest of 5 sisters and 1 brother. He has lived in various parts of the world and now resides in Bangalore, India, practising peace, passion and football as a lifestyle.
UDO taught himself to be a storyteller and has recently begun writing the stories of his childhood and upbringing, in an effort to recount his experiences of life; bringing Nigeria and his African culture into the forefront of his work.
UDO is a believer of how art is more important than the artist, for which reasons his real name and identity remain unconfirmed and subject to speculation.
2018-2020
Past Winners
Adesola Oladoja
2018: Adesola Oladoja; author of the poem TO MOTHERS won the Poet Laureate Prize in 2018. The Competition spanned 2 weeks and featured poetry pieces.
Abel Okwor
2019: Abel Okwor; author of the poem “WAGGING TWO MINDS IN A MOULD” won the Poet Laureate Prize in 2019. The competition spanned 4 weeks and featured creative pieces.
Temitope Komolafe
2020: Temitope Komolafe; Author of "OF LOVESONGS TURN HEARTBREAKS" emerged as the winner of the 2020 Poet Laureate Prize. The first female poet laureate, Temitope, set a unique pace also emerging as the first poet laureate who would win with a prose work.
Quotes from Past Winners
Frequently Asked Questions
There are five categories for submissions:
- Prose fiction (1500 words max)
- Poetry (1 poem)
- Short Story (Non-Fiction) (1500 words max)
- Spoken word artistry. (1 minute video)
- Art & Photography ( 3-5 pieces)
Make sure you meet the following criteria to be eligible.
– You are a tribesman (to join visit bit.ly/JOINTVO)
– You have your entry previously unpublished.
– Your entry fits the theme for this year’s Umdala Award (FIND OUT HERE).
– You follow the community on all social media platforms (so you don’t miss out on important information.
Only one entry in one submission category per participant is allowed.
The Umdala Award is open to Africans within Africa, Africans in the diaspora, and those who identify as Africans.
There’s no registered age limit for Poet Laureate. We appreciate creativity from any age group.
Find out about our terms and conditions here.
Donate to the Umdala Award
We appreciate your support and contributions towards the Umdala Award. Please donate via the button below.
Follow @umdala.award
Get the latest updates on the competition, the theme and send us your questions.
Contact Us
Send a message to the editor via editor@tvotribe.com.
Our location
Lagos, Nigeria.
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm
Sat: 9am-2pm
Contact
Phone: +2349057348822
Email: editor@tvotribe.com
Hi, how exactly do I submit my entry?
Hello Detolu,
Visit this link after reading our terms and conditions; https://forms.gle/bxAJUaCmQzTNWjte8
Regards,