Arao Ameny | Nya Lango - Daughter of Lango
@araoameny.bsky.social
Reader | Writer | In my language Leb Lango, Arao means “to gather, to collect”, and Ameny is “to bring light” | Proudly Lango | 🇺🇬
📍Maryland, USA
🔗: araoameny.com
📍Maryland, USA
🔗: araoameny.com
A day I’ll never forget.
Many lives ago, when I worked in communications at a New York City government agency in 2014, I had the immense honor of meeting Raila Odinga at Columbia University’s School of Law.
Rest well, Baba. Safe journeys. I’m grateful for the encouraging words.
Many lives ago, when I worked in communications at a New York City government agency in 2014, I had the immense honor of meeting Raila Odinga at Columbia University’s School of Law.
Rest well, Baba. Safe journeys. I’m grateful for the encouraging words.
October 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A day I’ll never forget.
Many lives ago, when I worked in communications at a New York City government agency in 2014, I had the immense honor of meeting Raila Odinga at Columbia University’s School of Law.
Rest well, Baba. Safe journeys. I’m grateful for the encouraging words.
Many lives ago, when I worked in communications at a New York City government agency in 2014, I had the immense honor of meeting Raila Odinga at Columbia University’s School of Law.
Rest well, Baba. Safe journeys. I’m grateful for the encouraging words.
I gave birth to my second-born (and last) child on September 6.
Amia, my daughter’s name, means "God’s will" in my language Leb Lango.
My husband Jason (🇯🇲), and I (🇺🇬) are thrilled.
A continuation of the most important story I’ll ever write...
Amia, my daughter’s name, means "God’s will" in my language Leb Lango.
My husband Jason (🇯🇲), and I (🇺🇬) are thrilled.
A continuation of the most important story I’ll ever write...
September 10, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I gave birth to my second-born (and last) child on September 6.
Amia, my daughter’s name, means "God’s will" in my language Leb Lango.
My husband Jason (🇯🇲), and I (🇺🇬) are thrilled.
A continuation of the most important story I’ll ever write...
Amia, my daughter’s name, means "God’s will" in my language Leb Lango.
My husband Jason (🇯🇲), and I (🇺🇬) are thrilled.
A continuation of the most important story I’ll ever write...
Book mail from home, book from mail from Uganda.
Feeling: A Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.
Thank you, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.
Thank you, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva.
What a good day.
Feeling: A Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.
Thank you, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.
Thank you, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva.
What a good day.
September 4, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Book mail from home, book from mail from Uganda.
Feeling: A Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.
Thank you, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.
Thank you, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva.
What a good day.
Feeling: A Poetry Anthology Celebrating Iconic Ugandan Women.
Thank you, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation.
Thank you, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva.
What a good day.
📣 Applications are open!
Obsidian Foundation offers an annual one-week online retreat for fifty Black poets of African descent.
Apply by October 1, 2025, here ⇢ obsidianfoundation.co.uk/retreat-2025/
Obsidian Foundation offers an annual one-week online retreat for fifty Black poets of African descent.
Apply by October 1, 2025, here ⇢ obsidianfoundation.co.uk/retreat-2025/
September 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM
📣 Applications are open!
Obsidian Foundation offers an annual one-week online retreat for fifty Black poets of African descent.
Apply by October 1, 2025, here ⇢ obsidianfoundation.co.uk/retreat-2025/
Obsidian Foundation offers an annual one-week online retreat for fifty Black poets of African descent.
Apply by October 1, 2025, here ⇢ obsidianfoundation.co.uk/retreat-2025/
One of my favorite artists.
My Amara. Age 2.
My Amara. Age 2.
August 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
One of my favorite artists.
My Amara. Age 2.
My Amara. Age 2.
Free virtual event
Kwame Dawes, African Poetry Book Fund founder, and Chris Abani discuss building an archive of African poetry on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Sign up for the online event here: citylights.com/events/kwame...
Kwame Dawes, African Poetry Book Fund founder, and Chris Abani discuss building an archive of African poetry on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Sign up for the online event here: citylights.com/events/kwame...
August 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Free virtual event
Kwame Dawes, African Poetry Book Fund founder, and Chris Abani discuss building an archive of African poetry on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Sign up for the online event here: citylights.com/events/kwame...
Kwame Dawes, African Poetry Book Fund founder, and Chris Abani discuss building an archive of African poetry on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Sign up for the online event here: citylights.com/events/kwame...
I showed Amara an aerial view of her hair after I finished and she said “star, star.”
“Mama put star on my head. Star head.”
I’m learning that two-year-olds are natural writers and poets.
“Mama put star on my head. Star head.”
I’m learning that two-year-olds are natural writers and poets.
July 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I showed Amara an aerial view of her hair after I finished and she said “star, star.”
“Mama put star on my head. Star head.”
I’m learning that two-year-olds are natural writers and poets.
“Mama put star on my head. Star head.”
I’m learning that two-year-olds are natural writers and poets.
The second of July.
Just like that, my Amara is two years old.
Just like that, my Amara is two years old.
July 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The second of July.
Just like that, my Amara is two years old.
Just like that, my Amara is two years old.
Brunel University of London is hosting a series of writing workshops and publishing webinars for aspiring writers.
Sign up for the free online workshops here: bit.ly/4evXE6M
Sign up for the free online workshops here: bit.ly/4evXE6M
July 6, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Brunel University of London is hosting a series of writing workshops and publishing webinars for aspiring writers.
Sign up for the free online workshops here: bit.ly/4evXE6M
Sign up for the free online workshops here: bit.ly/4evXE6M
The African Poetry Book Fund (@apbf.bsky.social ) is hiring!
Follow the link in their bio for the job description and application.
Apply here ⇢ abpf-wp.us.reclaim.cloud/we-are-hiring/
June 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The African Poetry Book Fund (@apbf.bsky.social ) is hiring!
Follow the link in their bio for the job description and application.
Apply here ⇢ abpf-wp.us.reclaim.cloud/we-are-hiring/
I had the privilege of meeting renowned Kenyan writer and academic Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o six years ago in Washington DC. He spoke about the importance of African languages and cultural identity. (1/3)
May 28, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I had the privilege of meeting renowned Kenyan writer and academic Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o six years ago in Washington DC. He spoke about the importance of African languages and cultural identity. (1/3)
Breastfeeding my 22 month old while 21 weeks pregnant has been a task and a half. My plan is to breastfeed until age 2. Although I’m far from home, I’m committed to my culture, breastfeeding for at least 2 years like my foremothers. I’m proud of myself. #MothersDay2025 #MothersDay
May 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Breastfeeding my 22 month old while 21 weeks pregnant has been a task and a half. My plan is to breastfeed until age 2. Although I’m far from home, I’m committed to my culture, breastfeeding for at least 2 years like my foremothers. I’m proud of myself. #MothersDay2025 #MothersDay
“Here, take. For you, Mama.” – Amara, 22 months
May 2, 2025 at 12:02 AM
“Here, take. For you, Mama.” – Amara, 22 months
Amara found a yellow flower at the park and she won’t let go of it.
April 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Amara found a yellow flower at the park and she won’t let go of it.
“I like circles.”
- Amara, 21 months old
- Amara, 21 months old
April 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
“I like circles.”
- Amara, 21 months old
- Amara, 21 months old
Book mail from Kampala, Uganda.
Honored to have two poems “Spoon” and “Kitenge Dreams” published in issue 7 of The WegandaReview.
Thank you to Associate Editor Ber Anena & Editor-in-Chief Rodney Muhumuza for this opportunity & privilege.
Read it here: bit.ly/AraoAmeny
Honored to have two poems “Spoon” and “Kitenge Dreams” published in issue 7 of The WegandaReview.
Thank you to Associate Editor Ber Anena & Editor-in-Chief Rodney Muhumuza for this opportunity & privilege.
Read it here: bit.ly/AraoAmeny
March 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Book mail from Kampala, Uganda.
Honored to have two poems “Spoon” and “Kitenge Dreams” published in issue 7 of The WegandaReview.
Thank you to Associate Editor Ber Anena & Editor-in-Chief Rodney Muhumuza for this opportunity & privilege.
Read it here: bit.ly/AraoAmeny
Honored to have two poems “Spoon” and “Kitenge Dreams” published in issue 7 of The WegandaReview.
Thank you to Associate Editor Ber Anena & Editor-in-Chief Rodney Muhumuza for this opportunity & privilege.
Read it here: bit.ly/AraoAmeny
Book mail.
The Watkins Book of African Folklore by Cameroonian-born writer & artist Helen Nde. She is also the curator of Mythological Africans, an online space exploring mythology, folklore, spirituality, & cultures from the African continent.
What a beautiful book!
The Watkins Book of African Folklore by Cameroonian-born writer & artist Helen Nde. She is also the curator of Mythological Africans, an online space exploring mythology, folklore, spirituality, & cultures from the African continent.
What a beautiful book!
March 14, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Book mail.
The Watkins Book of African Folklore by Cameroonian-born writer & artist Helen Nde. She is also the curator of Mythological Africans, an online space exploring mythology, folklore, spirituality, & cultures from the African continent.
What a beautiful book!
The Watkins Book of African Folklore by Cameroonian-born writer & artist Helen Nde. She is also the curator of Mythological Africans, an online space exploring mythology, folklore, spirituality, & cultures from the African continent.
What a beautiful book!
Volunteer as a writing consultant and/or a juror for the 2025 Baldwin Prize, a scholarship and essay competition for high school students honoring the legacy of writer and humanitarian James Baldwin.
Writers and editors may volunteer online or in person.
🟢 Join me here ⇢ bit.ly/2025BaldwinPrize
Writers and editors may volunteer online or in person.
🟢 Join me here ⇢ bit.ly/2025BaldwinPrize
December 29, 2024 at 5:28 AM
Volunteer as a writing consultant and/or a juror for the 2025 Baldwin Prize, a scholarship and essay competition for high school students honoring the legacy of writer and humanitarian James Baldwin.
Writers and editors may volunteer online or in person.
🟢 Join me here ⇢ bit.ly/2025BaldwinPrize
Writers and editors may volunteer online or in person.
🟢 Join me here ⇢ bit.ly/2025BaldwinPrize
“Language is a gift, listening is a responsibility.”
- Nikki Giovanni
Poet Nikki Giovanni, April 25, 1969
Photo credit : Evans, Michael
Source: New York State Archives. New York State Council on the Arts
- Nikki Giovanni
Poet Nikki Giovanni, April 25, 1969
Photo credit : Evans, Michael
Source: New York State Archives. New York State Council on the Arts
December 10, 2024 at 7:49 PM
“Language is a gift, listening is a responsibility.”
- Nikki Giovanni
Poet Nikki Giovanni, April 25, 1969
Photo credit : Evans, Michael
Source: New York State Archives. New York State Council on the Arts
- Nikki Giovanni
Poet Nikki Giovanni, April 25, 1969
Photo credit : Evans, Michael
Source: New York State Archives. New York State Council on the Arts
I’m honored to have ‘Writing my Way Back’ published in the 2024 ‘Coming Home’ Hugo House chapbook.
Congratulations to all writers who contributed to this project.
Read the chapbook online here: hugohouse.org/coming-home-...
Congratulations to all writers who contributed to this project.
Read the chapbook online here: hugohouse.org/coming-home-...
November 29, 2024 at 9:58 AM
I’m honored to have ‘Writing my Way Back’ published in the 2024 ‘Coming Home’ Hugo House chapbook.
Congratulations to all writers who contributed to this project.
Read the chapbook online here: hugohouse.org/coming-home-...
Congratulations to all writers who contributed to this project.
Read the chapbook online here: hugohouse.org/coming-home-...
Book mail.
Happy to receive my copy of Yellow Arrow Journal on the theme Kitalo with guest editor Tramaine Suubi, a Ugandan multilingual writer and poet.
Buy your copy here ⇢ bit.ly/kitalo2024
Happy to receive my copy of Yellow Arrow Journal on the theme Kitalo with guest editor Tramaine Suubi, a Ugandan multilingual writer and poet.
Buy your copy here ⇢ bit.ly/kitalo2024
November 28, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Book mail.
Happy to receive my copy of Yellow Arrow Journal on the theme Kitalo with guest editor Tramaine Suubi, a Ugandan multilingual writer and poet.
Buy your copy here ⇢ bit.ly/kitalo2024
Happy to receive my copy of Yellow Arrow Journal on the theme Kitalo with guest editor Tramaine Suubi, a Ugandan multilingual writer and poet.
Buy your copy here ⇢ bit.ly/kitalo2024