Somewhere a thousand years ago or so, renga emerged in Japanese literature as a courtly form of linked verse. Poets in the eight islands transplanted cuttings from the palaces into more public domains and tanka and haiku evolved. There is something sensible about these structures that allowed them to thrive in native soil for a millennium, and something of a different essence that allowed their migration into the English language during the last century.
The inherent power of these poetic forms with their strict syllabic counts and the flexibility and world-wide presence of English allows this remarkable collection of Malaysian-Nigerian tan-renga to be co-authored by the noted poets Christina Chin and Uchechukwu Onyedikam. One writer supplies the opening tercet of the five-line form; the other creates an ending couplet to complete the image. Chin and Onyedikam modernize the collaboration by loosening the syllable counts and sometimes inverting the chords.
The partners bring their own personalities to the page. Chin’s work evokes the hypnotic and seductive Hindi song Chaka Chak. Her images are playful and high-spirited. Onyedikam brings the African rhythm of the djembe drum to the mix, the spirit of the goddess Osun on a charcoal-scented breeze. The result is a calypso, a funk, a fusion, a new jazz for the eye and ear. Pour a glass of palm wine and enjoy.
— Russell Streur, Editor, Plum Tree Tavern
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Pouring Light on the Hills is a subtly brilliant collection of tan-renga that is as fascinating as it is culturally significant, allowing the reader to form a connection with experiences that may be radically different from their own. The coauthors’ perspectives blend wonderfully in their portrayal of a human existence deeply rooted in the natural world. Despite this connectedness, a sense of solitude pervades their lines, as represented by the leopard resting in a baobab tree in just one instance, while music, dance, food, and drink feature as relatable and welcome reprieves. Children are also present in many of the verses, whether it be an ailing African child or the cry of a newborn in the bush. Their presence contrasts an often harsh environment while emphasizing life’s difficulties, even for the most vulnerable. Still, they represent hope for the future and a longing for the healthy continuation of culture. This collection is for anyone with a taste for short-form poetry or an appreciation for diversity in artistic expression. Chin and Onyedikam showcase the sometimes harsh realities of life while celebrating the hope that persists even as things fall apart.
— M. R. Defibaugh, creator and editor of the Tan-Renga/Tanka Chapbook Series (2022-)
nominated for the Touchstone Distinguished Books Award 2023
paperback:
eBook:
archived:
https://thehaikufoundation.org/omeka/items/show/6547
Copyright © 2025 Christina Chin & Uchechukwu Onyedikam
All Rights Reserved
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