As a Dual BA/MA Comparative Literature and Society and Middle East, East Asia, and African Studies major at Columbia University, I have had the privilege of pursuing my passion for exploring the intersections of culture, history, and society. Through my coursework, I have gained a deep understanding of the diverse intellectual traditions and cultural expressions of various regions of the world. I am proud to have achieved academic success, including recognition on the Dean's List, and to have received awards for my research and writing. My commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, and I have pursued various research opportunities, internships, and volunteer work to broaden my understanding of the world and contribute to positive change. I believe that my academic achievements and passion for learning make me a lifelong learner, eager to explore new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

maama + mabira

Katasi Masembe

Mother, where am I that progress equals servitude
there in the shadows, dying, is the life I knew
there in the shallows are the children I lost
lost for a country they wouldn’t recognise
what is Mabira to the Buganda dream
is Mabira but a husk in the winds that carry Buganda to the future?
Oh my children, are we but bones upon which the living prosper
our blood but a lubricant in the wheels of time
oh my Mabira, we are out of time
we are jetsam in the eddies of time
it is our time to go
it is our time to be forgotten


A portrait of a man’s silhouette as he walks in the rain at night. Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. ©Abdoulaye Ndao

A portrait of a man’s silhouette as he walks in the rain at night. Dakar-Plateau, Senegal. ©Abdoulaye Ndao

People sort out cashews in a cashew field. Cassamance, Senegal. ©Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

People sort out cashews in a cashew field. Cassamance, Senegal. ©Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

time my brother

Part II. Mabira, a late capitalist elegy.
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