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Benjamin ZephaniahBritish Rastafarian writer and dub poet
Date of Birth: 15.04.1958
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Biography of Benjamin Zephaniah
- Early Writing and Performance
- Activism and Advocacy
- Personal Life and Recognition
Biography of Benjamin Zephaniah
Early Life and EducationBenjamin Zephaniah, a British Rastafarian writer and dub poet, was born and raised in Handsworth, a district in Birmingham. He grew up in what he calls the "Jamaican capital of Europe." Zephaniah is the son of a Barbadian postman and a Jamaican nurse. He struggled with dyslexia and attended a correctional school, but had to leave at the age of 13 due to difficulties in reading and writing.
Early Writing and Performance
Zephaniah's poetry draws inspiration from Jamaican rhythms and "street politics." He had his first performance in a church at the age of 10, and by the age of 15, his poems were already known in the Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities of Handsworth. In his youth, he had encounters with the police and served a prison sentence for theft. Tired of only telling black people about their own lives, Zephaniah decided to expand his audience and, at the age of 22, he moved to London.
Activism and Advocacy
Zephaniah is a passionate supporter of animal rights and is involved with various organizations such as the Vegan Society, Viva! (Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals), Newham Monitoring Project (a project combating racism), and Tower Hamlets Summer University (a charitable university). He is also a supporter of PETA. In 2004, he wrote the foreword for Keith Mann's book on the Animal Liberation Movement, titled "From Dusk 'til Dawn: An insider's view of the growth of the Animal Liberation Movement." Zephaniah has expressed his support for the creation of the British Republic and the abolition of the monarchy.
Personal Life and Recognition
For many years, Zephaniah lived in East London, but since 2008, he has divided his time between Beijing and a village near Spalding, Lincolnshire. He identifies himself as a passionate vegan and a fan of Aston Villa Football Club. He was married to theater administrator Amina for 12 years, but they separated in 2001. Zephaniah has received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of North London, Birmingham City University, Staffordshire University, London South Bank University, the University of Exeter, and the University of Westminster. He was ranked 48th on The Times' list of the 50 greatest post-war writers and received the Cambridge Folk Festival award on August 2, 2008. Nelson Mandela referred to him as his favorite poet. Zephaniah's first poetry collection, "Pen Rhythm," was published by Page One Books in 1980. His album "Rasta," dedicated to Nelson Mandela and featuring The Wailers, became an international success and reached the top of the charts in Yugoslavia.
