Sungura Mjanjah: A Lesson in Conservation

A native of Philadelphia (PA), J’miah Nabawi’s storytelling career was inspired by the legendary Mandinka Griot (Djeli), Djeliba Djimo Kouyate. Soon after experiencing Djeli Kouyate at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, J’miah visited Please Touch Museum and caught the act of Linda Goss (Mama Linda Goss), best-selling author and the ＂Official Storyteller of Philadelphia.＂ It was the befriending of Ms. Goss that would eventually lead to mentoring J’miah onto the path of professional storytelling and developing the brand of performance for which he is known today. J’miah’s upbeat storytelling reflects the story-dance-musical drama of Africa and its Diaspora. * Bilingual in Spanish and a poly-glot of sorts, J’miah also tell stories from around the world and is known to incorporate story-specific vocabulary, songs and text in the languages of Twi, Spanish, French, Chinese, Yoruba, Japanese, Gullah and Ki-Swahili during his performances. J’miah’s artistic work with children and youth in underserved rural and urban areas has been recognized with Proclamations, Citations and Official letters from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg, PA, the late Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, MA and from the City of Miami (Miami Dade City Council), Miami, FL. ＂Mr. Nabawi is one of Savannah’s most visible and favored storytellers. He has been the community’s choice for various festivities, with no barriers on race, ethnicity, or age. Whether it is through the Live Oak Public Libraries, The Telfair Museum, local churches, schools, universities, the leadership and service that he continues to provide through his profession is legendary here amongst Savannahians.＂ Dr. Otis S. Johnson, Former Mayor of Savannah, GA Learn more about J’miah Nabawi at www.jmiahnabawi.com